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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



SJptp Gupitrig^ !f n. 

Shelf. A..1J 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



OUR TRAVELLING PARTY 



IN 



IRELAND 



HY 



DANIEL C. EDDY. 



r 



ILLUSTRATED. 







JW 



BOSTON: 
D. LOTHROP & COMPANY, 

FRANKLIN ST., CORNER HAWLEY. 



COPYRIGHT 

1882, 
By DANIEL C. EDDY. 



°'CONo REss ' 



PRINTED BY 
G . W . STIDLET & CO. 






ETECTROTYPED AT THE 
108'1'ON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY 



PREFACE 



f*~ 



This volume commences a series of books for 
youth, adapted to please, instruct, and benefit. The 
aim will be to give the youthful reader a clear, accu- 
rate account of foreign scenes and society. Every 
effort will be made to make the statements reliable, 
and the books permanently useful, not merely to the 
young, but to all persons whose circumstances will 
not allow them to go abroad. 

The author proposes to follow a travelling party 
through the principal countries of Europe, into Egypt, 
Palestine, and Greece. Though the successive vol- 
umes will be connected in name and style, and will 
be issued as a serial, a few months intervening be- 
tween them, each one will be complete in itself. 

These books will be sent out into a field that 
never can be filled, for the children's department of 
our literature makes constant demands, and every 
volume published for young persons only creates a 
taste that calls for others ; and this series is given 
to the public with the hope that each successive vol- 
ume may prove useful, instructive, and entertaining. 
The next volume, which will soon be issued, will 
take the traveller through Scotland and England. 

(7) 



CONTENTS. 



CHAP. PAGE 

I. The Percy Mansion .11 

II. The Atlantic Voyage =,29 

III. Glimpses of Liverpool 53 

IV. A Walk on Chester Walls 77 

V. A Ride through North Wales 101 

VI. Crossing the Channel 112 

VEI. The Irish Capital 119 

VEIL Fancy Trip to Cork US 

IX. Visit to the Lakes of Killarney 176 

X. Maynooth and Drogheda 192 

XI. Glances at Giant's Causeway 206 

XII. Dunluce Castle 218 

XIII. A Day in Belfast 225 

XIV. Farewell to Ireland 239 

(8) 



ENGRAVINGS 



PAGE 

Golden Cross Abbey <, . . . 2 

The Percy Mansion 10 

Steamer Niagara 47 

"Walter's Time Table 76 

God's Providence House. . . „ 91 

Britannia Bridge 105 

Shandon Steeple 155 

Blarney Castle . 171 

Irish Riding 189 

An Irish Town 197 

Giant's Well and Guide 207 

Giant's Gateway 210 

(9) 



THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Chapter I. 

THE PERCY MANSION. 

IN the beautiful city of Cambridge, near Bos- 
ton, stands the aristocratic mansion of 
Peter Percy, Esq., a rich merchant, who has 
long been engaged in the West India trade, 
and who has accumulated a vast fortune, by 
prudence, economy, skill, and sound judgment. 
The Percy family consists of the father, mother, 
and three lovely children of the respective ages 
of eleven, nine, and six. The oldest, Walter, 
is a thoughtful, sedate, studious boy, who never 
gave his parents a moment's uneasiness, and who 
is a patient devotee of books. Intellect is writ- 
ten on his fair brow, his pale features are 
stamped with genius, and already he shows the 
dawnings of that light which will make him a 
bright example. The second child is Minnie, 
the antipode of Walter, a mild, beautiful girl, 

(ii) 



12 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

whose brown hair falls in wavy ringlets on her 
shoulders, and. whose sunny smile is the light 
of the house and the joy of the home circle. 
Impatient and nervous, she would rather gather 
buttercups and daisies than pore over books ; 
healthful and cheerful, she turns every thing 
upside down, answering the remonstrance of her 
mother with a merry laugh that is irresistible, 
and that drives every frown from that look of 
maternal love. Every body loves Minnie Percy, 
and she is justly the pride of her parents. 
Charlie is the youngest, a noble boy,, of good 
proportions and fair appearance, who has yet 
to develop himself in order to have his traits of 
character fully seen. The family, when to- 
gether, is one of the most happy in the place ; 
no cloud rests upon their home, which is one 
of great magnificence. 

Peter Percy himself is a man of intelligence, 
reading, and business sagacity ; a devout Chris- 
tian, and a man deeply interested in every good 
enterprise, and every philanthropic movement, 
liberal to the poor, just to himself, and grateful 
to God. 

One evening this merchant returned to his 
mansion, and, after tea had been served, and the 
gas lighted, called his family together, and told 
them that he was about to leave the cares and 



THE PERCY MANSION. 13 

anxieties of business for a while, and seek rec- 
reation and rest in a foreign tour. Walter's 
large, dreamy eyes were at once fixed on his 
father's face, and little Minnie clapped her hands 
for joy. 

tw Will you take me ? " said Walter. 

" I will go," enthusiastically cried Minnie, 
almost breathless with impetuosity. 

" And me too, pa ! " chimed in Charlie. 

" Stop, children," said Mr. Percy, " and let us 
talk over this matter. Perhaps mamma will 
have a word to say about it." 

Mrs. Percy, who had previously been made ac- 
quainted with her husband's plans, smiled upon 
her lovely children, as, with one accord, the trio 
appealed to her. 

" May we go, mamma ? " 

" I cannot spare you all. Who woidd come 
and kiss mamma in the morning ? " 

" I will stay at home with mamma," said 
Charlie, half in sorrow. " 1 do not want to go 
away with papa ; I will stay at home with 
mamma." 

A kiss was the only answer the mother gave 
as she touched the brow of her fair child, from 
which the sunny hair was thrown back. The 
little fellow looked up as he felt a tear drop on 
his cheek, and added, — 



14 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Shall not Charlie have a rocking horse if he 
stays at home ? " 

The promise having been made that Charlie 
should have his rocking horse, and that Walter 
and Minnie should accompany Mr. Percy on his 
European tour, the evening was spent in making 
arrangements, and talking over plans for the 
future, until the time came for sleep, when the 
whole family, after seeking direction and counsel 
of God, the great Father, retired to rest. But 
Walter and Minnie could not sleep much. 
Their little heads were side by side, and long, in 
low whispers, did they converse of the things 
they expected to see on their arrival in Europe ; 
and it was after midnight when sleep overpow- 
ered them. 

The sun had scarcely risen the next morn- 
ing ere the children were all up ; and a more 
merry family circle one would not desire to see, 
than that which gathered around Mr. Percy's 
table that day. The children were happy in the 
idea of seeing so many different lands, and so 
many strange scenes. Walter had read of Lon- 
don and Rome, and Minnie had often heard of 
Paris, the gay and beautiful metropolis of 
fashion, and the prospect of seeing those places 
took away all inclination to study, or even eat. 
Breakfast being over, the family carriage, a 



THE PERCY MANSION. 15 

oo^JOc 

vehicle of more utility than beauty, of more 
real comfort than elegance of appearance, was 
brought to the door by the servant, and Mr. 
Percy, addressing his son, said, — 

" Come, Walter, get ready and we will go into 
the city and purchase our tickets, and secure our 
berths for the voyage." 

" What, father, so soon as this ? " 

" Yes, my son ; at this season of the year the 
steamers are so crowded that passage must be 
taken several weeks in advance." 

On the way to the city, Mr. Percy explained 
more fully his plans to his son, and gave him an 
outline of the route he proposed to take. Wal- 
ter had studied geography carefully, and had 
read history somewhat extensively, and was ac- 
quainted with many of the cities which had been 
marked down as worthy of a visit, and the con- 
versation on these places gave evidence that the 
lad had made much proficiency in his studies, 
and could appreciate the voyage he was about 
to make. Many men of means travel, but ac- 
quire no information, and fail of enlarging their 
minds, because they are strangers to the histori- 
cal importance of the places they visit ; and Mr. 
Percy was well pleased that his son should de- 
velop so much knowledge of the places of his' 
toric interest, and sacred to the memory of 



16 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

heroes and martyrs. He found that the lad was 
to be a better travelling companion than somo 
men of mature years, but of less observation and 
reading, could possibly be. 

To travel well, a man must be a genius — he 
must have an aptitude for travelling. Some men 
may go around the world and never see any 
thing, or become any wiser for the pains they 
take to visit distant lands. They have no genius 
for travelling. They go with their eyes shut, 
their ears closed, and their hearts sealed. They 
will ride through an enchanting country, reading 
some romance, or poring over the last political 
article in the London Times. They visit cities, 
but they never get any knowledge of the cus- 
toms of the people. They are not gifted with 
the faculty for travelling, and might as well stay 
at home. 

It was not so with our young hero. He was 
observant of every thing that passed before him, 
and before he had secured his passage, he had 
laid out his plans, and, in imagination, lived over 
half his journey. 

" Here we are at the booking office," said Mr. 
Percy, as he reined up his horse in front of a 
noble edifice on State Street ; and the two went 
up stairs into the office of the agent, and Mr. 
Percy inquired of that gentleman, — 



THE PERCY MANSION. 17 

" What steamer sails two weeks from to- 
day?" 

" The Niagara, sir." 

" Who will command her on the passage ? " 

" Captain Wickman, one of the best officers 
in the service." 

" Is she full ? " 

" Nearly so, but a few state rooms yet remain 
unengaged." 

" Will you show me the plan ? " 

" Certainly, sir, with the greatest pleasure." 

Mr. Percy looked over the plan, and found 
that state rooms, with berths, numbered 71 and 
72, were not taken, and at once engaged them, 
and having also secured a berth for Minnie, in 
the state room for ladies, gave his check on the 
Boylston Bank for the amount. All this time 
Walter stood looking on, and wondering how 
large the room could be, and what kind of a 
berth he should have, and was aroused from his 
reflections by the question of the agent, — 

" Would you not like to take your son over to 
the dock at East Boston, and let him see the 
steamer ? " 

" Well, what say, Walter ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" 0, by all means, let ns go over," was the 
reply. 

The agent furnished Mr. Percy with a ticket, 
vol. J. 2 



18 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

and entering the carriage, the father and son 
drove rapidly to the ferry. The boat was just 
starting, and they had barely time to get aboard 
before the bell rang, and the huge, unwieldy float 
moved out into the channel ; and in a few min- 
utes a dull, heavy crash announced the arrival 
at East Boston. Driving to the steamer landing, 
and showing the ticket to the gate tender, they 
were allowed to go on deck, and see the vessel 
which was to bear them across the deep. They 
found their state room to be a very pleasant one, 
but in a state of confusion, as the steamer was 
being cleansed for her trip. The servants, how- 
ever, were very polite, and the steward asked 
Mr. Percy if he would not select seats at the 
table, as it might be too late when he came 
aboard again. So they went into the magnifi- 
cent saloon, and found several long tables , and 
Mr. Percy, turning to his son, said, — 

" Walter, where would you like to sit ? " 

Walter looked along the table, and replied, 
" I would like to sit near the captain, so that we 
may have the benefit of his conversation." 

" That," said the steward, pointing to a table 
near the door, " is the captain's table ; but five 
seats are already taken there. The next table 
is not taken." 

So seats were selected at the second table, 



THE PERCY MANSION. 19 

and Walter, writing his father's name on one 
card, and his own on another, handed them 
to the steward, who said the seats should be 
reserved. 

After looking about the steamer, going into 
both cabins, examining the huge engine, — which 
now was silent and still, like a great dead thing, 
incapable of motion, — and talking with the offi- 
cers and men, our friends, whom we have ac- 
companied to the steamer, took their carriage 
and leisurely rode back to the city, through 
Charlcstown, not crossing the ferry as they had 
done before. They reached the city just as the 
sun was setting, and stopping for a moment at 
his counting house, Mr. Percy then drove rapidly 
to his house in Cambridge. Minnie was waiting 
for them with the greatest impatience, and before 
they had time to enter the house, she cried, 
" Have you got the tickets, Walter ? Did you 
see the steamer, father ? Will any ladies go 
over with us ? When shall we start ? " 

" Stop, stop, my clear ; one question at a 
time, my child," said Mr. Percy, in a tone savor- 
ing of slight rebuke. " You must learn to be 
patient ; " and then, with a pleasant smile, 
added, " I will let Walter answer your questions 
while I go and see that the carriage is taken 
care of." 



20 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" I will tell you all about it after tea," said 
Walter. 

" After tea, indeed ! I must hear about it 
now." 

"Well, I will tell you all I know." So 
Walter sat down with his sister, and told her 
all that had been done, and described the ves- 
sel, and the state room, and the appearance of the 
captain, and detailed much of the conversation 
which had occurred between him and his father, 
all of which interested the little girl very 
much. 

" And now, father, what else have we to do 
before we go ? " said Walter, as the family were 
seated at the tea table. 

" 0, several things," was the reply. " We 
have to purchase some nice new trunks and 
carpet bags ; we have to secure our passports, 
and mamma has much work to do to get us all 
ready. We shall want a few letters of introduc- 
tion to distinguished persons, whom we must try 
to see, but on whom it would not be courteous 
to call without an introduction. We must get 
a letter of credit, so that, when we are in want of 
money, we can go to the bankers in London, 
Paris, Vienna, or Rome, and draw as much as 
we need. And several other little things must 
be attended to ere we shall be ready to sail." 



THE PERCY MANSION. 21 

" What is a letter of credit ? " asked Walter. 

" What is a passport ? " asked Minnie. 

" I will answer Walter's question first, as it 
was asked first. A letter of credit is a banking 
document, which is taken from a banker in Bos- 
ton, who has correspondence with bankers in all 
the prominent European cities. I deposit with 
the banker here a sum of money, or my note for 
a certain amount, and receive the letter in re- 
turn. When I want money in Paris or Naples, 
I take the letter to a banker, whose name is on 
this paper, and lie gives me fifty or a hundred 
dollars, just as I may want. By this arrange- 
ment, I am not obliged to carry gold, which 
would be very heavy, and would be a source of 
continual anxiety. Do you understand ? " 

" I think I do." 

" Well, I will explain it more fully to you 
when we draw money in some foreign city." 

" And now my question," said Minnie. 
" What is a passport ? " 

" A passport, my child, is a document given 
by the secretary of state, at Washington, show- 
ing that I am an American citizen. So, when I 
<40 into any country, the police will know who I 
am, and not confound me with those who are 
trying to overthrow the government. In this 
country and in England, passports are not re- 



22 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

quired, but all over the continent they are de- 
manded." 

" But if you should not have one, what would 
be the result ? " asked Minnie. 

" Why, when we reached the French frontier, 
we should be sent back or arrested. " 

" 0, that would be funny." 

" More perplexing than funny, my child." 

" And what should we do ? " 

" Well, we might go to London and get a 
passport from Mr. Dallas, the American minister, 
as he has power to give it. But we could not 
travel without it any where upon the continent." 

Thus conversing, the tea hour passed away, 
the evening advanced, and the hour for family 
devotions having arrived, the whole family 
bowed before the great Father, sought his pro- 
tection, and separated for the night. 

The next morning Mr. Percy and Walter rode 
into Boston, and, calling at the Custom House, 
made an arrangement with a polite official for a 
passport. Walter and his father were measured, 
their ages taken, and a general description of 
them made. This description was sent to Wash- 
ington, and a few days elapsed before the docu- 
ment was received. They then went to the 
banker, and made arrangements with him for a 
letter of credit, Mr. Percy putting a large sum 



THE PERCY MANSION. 23 

of money on deposit, and receiving the necessary 
document. They then went to a trunk maker, 
and bought two stont trunks, and two fine car- 
pet bags. They next repaired to a clothing 
store, where a nice suit of gray travelling clothes 
were bought for Walter, a loose drab sack for 
Mr. Percy, and one or two articles for Minnie. 
All this, with some business matters not con- 
nected with the tour, occupied most of the day, 
and they returned in the afternoon, again to be 
overwhelmed with questions by Minnie, who in 
the mean while had been busy with her mother 
in preparing her clothes, and getting ready for 
the voyage. 

After a few days Mr. Percy received a large 
document, bearing the seal of the United States, 
and on opening it, it was found to be the pass- 
ports for the travellers ; and as many of our 
readers may never have seen a passport, we give 
a copy of one on the next page, as nearly as we 
can in so small a space. 

Day by day the arrangements progressed, and 
soon the trio were all ready to start ; and as the 
time approached, the young folks became more 
anxious to be on the way. The steamer was to 
start on the seventh day of April, and the hours 
and minutes to that time were counted and 
wished away. However, none of the time was 



24 



THE PERCY FAMILY. 







&o all to frrljom %se Jwamts sjrall tome, greeting : 



Stature, 5 ft. 8 inch. 
Age, 35 years. 
Forehead, high. 
Eyes, gray. 
Nose, small. 
Mouth, medium. 
Chin, round. 
Hair, brown. 
Complexion, light. 
Face, medium. 



The undersigned, Secretary 
of State of the T&nitzb States 
Of America, hereby requests all 
whom it may concern, to per- 
mit safely and freely to pass 

a citizen of the United States, 
and in case of need to give 
him all useful aid and pro- 
tection. 

Given under my hand 



Signature of Bearer. 



I U.S. Seal.) 



and the impression of 
the Seal of the De- 
partment of State, at 
the City of Washing- 
ton, the 29th day of 
March, A. D. 1858, 
in the 82<f year of the 
Independence of the 
United States. 



THE PERCY MANSION. 25 

lost to Walter, who busied himself in reading 
works of travel, and studying French phrases, 
and otherwise preparing himself to make the 
most of his tour. 

On Saturday, before the time for sailing, just 
as the family were rising from the tea table, Mr. 
Tenant, one of Mr. Percy's most esteemed 
neighbors, called in, and, after the usual friendly 
salutations, said, " Friend Percy, I have come in 
to see if you want a companion on your tour. 
I have made up my mind to travel a few months, 
and should like to go abroad with you." 

Mr. Percy gladly accepted the proposition, for 
Mr. Tenant was an enterprising business man, 
who would make a most excellent travelling 
companion. So it was arranged that Mr. Tenant, 
who had already engaged his passage, should 
make one of the party. 

The steamer was to sail on Wednesday, and 
on the previous evening, Mr. Percy was sitting 
with his family in his spacious drawing room. 
There were present, besides the family, two 
maiden sisters of Mrs. Percy, who were to keep 
her company during the absence of her hus- 
band ; and they were discussing, with some tinge 
of sadness, the events liable and likely to tran- 
spire during the summer. It was the last even- 
ing they would be together for a long time — ' 



26 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

perhaps it would be the last time they would 
thus gather 011 earth. While they conversed 
and committed themselves to the protection of 
God, the bell rang, and a neighbor was ushered 
into the room ; soon came another, and then 
another, and still others, until the rooms were 
crowded, and the house full of friends and 
neighbors, who had come in to give the Percys 
a happy surprise. Among them were professors 
and students of the college, men of wealth and 
refinement, and the pastor and deacons of 
the church with which the family worshipped. 
The brisk hands of the ladies soon spread a 
table in the dining room, and, after an hour 
had been spent in social converse, the whole 
company were invited to it, and full justice was 
done to the rich viands beneath which the table 
groaned. When the repast was nearly finished, 
and all were in a merry mood, a gentleman 
approached Mr. Percy, and thus addressed 
him : — 

" Dear friend : We have come in to-night to 
wish you a happy voyage and a safe return ; we 
have often enjoyed your kindness and hospitality, 
and we wished, in some slight way, to make you 
the recipient of ours. Will you please accept this 
cane, [handing Mr. Percy a magnificent cane, 
gold mounted,] manufactured from wood cut on. 



THE PERCY MANSION. 27 

tht grounds of Mount Vernon, and finished with 
much taste by an artisan of the metropolis ? It 
will remind you, when in distant lands, of the 
friends who, at home, will send up their daily 
prayers to the God of ocean and land for your 
protection. May your whole tour be pleasant, 
profitable, and safe ; and may you return to 
your home, and to your business, with an in- 
vigorated step and renewed health, and long- 
live, a blessing to your family and the world." 

Mr. Percy made an appropriate reply, touch- 
ing gratefully upon the pleasant relations which 
had always existed between him and his neigh- 
bors, and the pleasure he felt in seeing them 
in his drawing room that night, under such cir- 
cumstances. 

The ladies then placed in the hands of Mrs. 
Percy a beautiful bouquet, with the delicately 
expressed hope and wish, that when the flowers 
had faded, her cheek might bloom more beauti- 
fully, and that the fragrance of her example 
might still continue to be a blessing to the 
world. 

The company remained together until ten 
o'clock, and then cordially shaking hands with 
the happy family, they departed, more than one 
lip uttering the precious sentence, " God bless 
them ; " while the family soon sought repose, 



28 THE PERCY FAMILY. 



to dream, perchance, of the morrow and its 
scenes. 

And those dreams were sweet, for conscience 
came with no upbraidings and reproaches to 
any who were beneath that roof that night. The 
wicked only dream of retribution ; and they who 
love God and keep his commandments, rest in 
peace, as it is written, " He giveth his beloved 
sleep." 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 29 



Chapter II. 

THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 

THE morning sun rose beautifully from its 
eastern bed ; but long before it was seen, 
Walter and Minnie had been up, and made all 
their arrangements to drive into the city. The 
trunks, which had been packed the evening be- 
fore, had been strapped by the servant upon the 
rack of the carriage, and the children were all 
ready. We need not speak of the sadness which 
came unbidden as that family sat down to the 
table ; nor of the tender interview between the 
husband and wife, which, in the study, followed 
it ; nor of the warm tears that fell upon the 
cheeks of the children as their mother folded 
them to her heart. The holy scene which is 
witnessed when a mother separates from her 
children, the pen had better not describe ; for 
the bleeding heart and the gentle tears cannot 
be transferred to paper. 

The plan was arranged for Mrs. Percy and 
Charlie to go into the city, and see the steamer 
start; and after breakfast the parents in one 



30 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

carriage, and the children in another, drove 
rapidly to Boston, and soon the whole company 
was assembled on the deck of the noble steam- 
ship Niagara. There all was orderly confu 
sion. 

Crowds of people, who had come down to see 
friends start off, thronged every part of the 
ship ; baggage was being brought on by hur- 
rying, driving, shouting porters ; the officers 
of the ship moved about, giving their orders 
quietly. Among those assembled were many 
friends of the Percy family, and one of them, 
Mr. Cushman, put into the hands of Walter a 
beautiful spyglass, and handed to Minnie a neat 
pocket compass, both of which he said would be 
of service ere the party returned ; and they were 
found to be so. Mr. Tenant was on hand in sea- 
son, and at noon the bell warned all who were 
to land to do so at once ; and Mrs. Percy, 
bidding her husband and children farewell, was 
assisted to the wharf by Mr. Cushman. The 
steamer soon left her moorings, and swung out 
into the harbor. A mighty cheer went up from 
the people on the land, answered by one as 
mighty from those on shipboard ; a waving ol 
handkerchiefs followed on both sides ; a gun 
was fired on shipboard, repeated quickly, and 
in gallant style the noble vessel went down the 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 31 

harbor, and soon the people on land lost sight 
of her entirely. 

For a long time, Mr. Percy and his children 
stood on deck, gazing back upon the fading 
spires and chimneys of the city, happy and yet 
sad. Walter was silent, noting every thing he 
saw, watching every object, and laying up in 
his memory every little circumstance. Minnie's 
tongue kept moving ; she had a hundred ques- 
tions to ask, and a hundred things to say. In 
two hours she had formed a dozen acquaint- 
ances, and drawn out towards her a dozen 
loving hearts. Her free, joyous spirit seemed 
to have lost restraint, and become lawless as 
the ocean. Thus time passed on, until all were 
aroused by a new sound. 

" Ding, dong, ding — ding, dong, ding." 

" What is that for, pa ? " said Minnie. 

" Why, dinner, Min — don't you know ? " 
replied Walter, who wished to have it known 
that he was posted. 

u Yes, it is dinner hour ; four o'clock ; eight 
bells, as the sailors say. And see, the passen- 
gers are going down, and we will go down with 
them." 

The party went into the beautiful saloon, and 
our friends found their places at the table with- 
out difficulty. There were two rows of tables, 



32 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

eacli seating eight persons ; and soon all were 
filled. At the first table was a gentleman, who, 
with his family, was going abroad to remain 
some months, and Minnie had already made the 
acquaintance of the young ladies. At the same 
table with themselves were two travellers from 
Iowa, a physician from Alabama, and two gen- 
tlemen from Boston, who very soon formed a 
strong mutual attachment. The dinner was 
highly relished, and Minnie, who ate nothing 
for breakfast, and had taken no lunch, declared 
it to be the best meal she had ever tasted. She 
partook of every thing, from the soup to the 
dessert, and, like the rest of the people, tarried 
an hour at the table. To Walter and Minnie, 
who had seldom been away from home, and 
who had never dined at a hotel or in a steamer, 
the whole scene was novel. The crash of table 
ware, the clatter of knives and forks, the call 
for wine and other liquors, the pleasant jokes, 
the general hilarity of the company, were very 
exciting to our young voyagers. 

" Do you expect to dine with us to-morrow ? " 
said the doctor to Minnie. 

" Certainly, sir ; why not ? " 

" Perhaps you will ; but I think many who 
are here now will not be here to-morrow." 

" Why not, sir ; please tell me." 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 33 



" Because to-morrow it will probably be very 
rough, and many will be seasick. I have 
crossed the ocean once or twice, and I never 
knew the tables to be very full on the second 
day." 

" 0, I shall not be seasick — I don't mean 
to be. 1 ' 

A merry laugh answered this expression of 
determination not to be seasick, and the com- 
pany rose and went up on deck. Then it was 
found that the wind had changed, the sky was 
overcast, and a fog was beginning to settle over 
the vessel's course. 

" A rough night we shall have," said one. 

" If the fog only keeps off, we shall do well 
enough," added another. 

Just then the vessel pitched so as to send 
Minnie half way across the deck. She recov- 
ered her position, but the quick eye of Mr. Percy 
detected a pallor on her countenance that he 
knew indicated seasickness, and he advised her to 
retire to her state room, and lie clown a while. 

" No, father ; Walter would laugh at me." 

" Ah, Min, you are seasick already." 

Minnie rested her head a while on her father's 
knee, and then said, " I will go down ; please 
assist me." 

Mr. Percy led her to her room, and calling 
VOL. I. 3 



34 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the stewardess, bade her attend to the wants of 
the child, and again started for the deck. But 
on the way he met Walter staggering down, no 
better off than Minnie. His father assisted him 
to his berth, helped him to undress, and left 
him to himself. The night proved a dark and 
stormy one ; the following day was rainy, and 
the east wind blew fiercely. Walter and Min- 
nie both kept their berths, and Mr. Percy, as 
the steward said, was somewhat " under the 
weather." As the doctor had said, few were 
at the table, and those who were able to be 
there indulged in pleasantries and jokes at the 
expense of those who were not. 

On Friday morning the steamer reached 
Halifax, and the children, feeling better as 
they neared port, were early on deck. The 
beautiful scenery drew the attention of all, and 
the interest increased as the ship neared the 
wharf, where she was to lie two hours to take 
in coal and provisions. Mr. Percy took the 
children, and, accompanied by Mr. Tenant, 
went up into the city, and after returning to 
the steamer, told Walter that he might send a 
line to his mother, if he would write quickly, as 
he himself was about to write, and could enclose 
a note from the children. We will give Wal- 
ter's letter to his mother : — 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 35 

Ever Dear Mother : — 

We are at Halifax, in the dominions of the 
queen, and resting here for a short time gives 
me the opportunity of sending a line hack to 
my dear, dear home, from which it seems a long 
time that I have been absent. I must be short, 
and tell you briefly what I have seen and felt 
thus far. I think it is John Kitto who says, in 
one of his letters, " To have travelled is a very 
fine thing, but it is not a very fine thing to 
travel." With John Kitto I have just. at this 
time a delightful fellow-feeling. John must 
have crossed the Atlantic Ocean, been shut up 
in a little state room in one of the British steam- 
ers, homesick, seasick, no appetite, no sleep, 
unable to read, pitching about, not knowing 
how soon the poor flesh will be the food of his 
majesty the sea serpent, and the bones lie 
whitening in the coral caves far down below. 
This is what men call " being- travelled." And 
this liquid earthquake, on which we have been 
reeling and rocking, tumbling and pitching, 
puffing and paddling, for days, is what poets 
and orators call 

"The broad and beautiful sea." 

Well, it is beautiful. It is intensely sublime. 
God marches on the deep ; his form, sublime, 



36 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

sweeps along in his misty chariot, and his great, 
awful voice echoes from land to hind. Even 
the godless Byron sees a God in the ocean. As 
he gazes upon the watery deep, it becomes 

" A glorious mirror, where the Almighty's form 
Glasses itself in tempests." 

We started from Boston, as you know, on a 
very beautiful day, and had a very fine run out 
to sea, passing Deer Island, and the frowning 
fort on George's Island, and leaving the city, 
with its dear associations, and dearer friends, 
far behind. But gathering night brought with 
it an east wind, a dense fog, plenty of sea- 
sickness, and the usual annoyances of a sea 
voyage. 

I can stand almost any thing but seasickness. 
This is the third day I have been out, and not 
an hour's exemption have I yet had from the 
gripe of his oceanic majesty. No one gets any 
sympathy for seasickness ; there is no medicine 
to cure. Minnie and I have suffered much, and 
the steward is very kind. I think father has 
been sick, but he will not admit it. But I know 
you will smile, and say, " It is nothing but sea- 
sickness, and they will soon get over that, and 
be better for it afterwards ;" so it is no use for 
me to write about that. 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 37 

We arrived at Halifax on Friday morning, 
and at once drew up to the wharf. Having two 
hours to stop, we went up into the city. The 
people were asleep, and all was as silent as a 
city of the dead. Our own tramp on the hard 
ground, our own voices ringing on the still air, 
alone disturbed the general quiet. That part of 
the city we saw was the worst part of Halifax, 
the better portions, which are said to be more 
beautiful, lying back on the hills. Halifax does 
not seem to have the thrift of a New England 
town, and that part visited by us, which was 
near the wharf, seemed to be a century behind 
the times. No paved thoroughfare, no brick 
sidewalk, no signs of recent improvement greet- 
ed the eye in any direction we went. The 
houses are generally small, built of wood, shin- 
gled roof and sides, and uncomely in their ap- 
pearance. On the hill-side overlooking the city 
frowns a formidable fortification, which looks 
as if able to pour its deadly fires with murderous 
effect upon any hostile fleet that might venture 
into the waters below. 

Father suggests to me that, in landing from 
the steamer, and walking about for an hour, we 
should probably see the worst part of Halifax, 
as that section near the steamer landing is most 
wretched and unseemly ; and as the people of 



38 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Boston would not wish to have their city judged 
by a person who should wander about an hour 
in some of the lower localities, so we should not 
judge Halifax by what we saw of it. There is 
said to be refined and cultivated society here, 
and back on the hill-sides the residences of many 
wealthy and aristocratic families. 

I have only time to send much love to dear 
mother and little Charlie boy, and wish you all 
much prosperity. Father is calling for this 
note to enclose in his letter, as the steamer is 
about to start. Good by. Walter. 

Halifax, April 9, 1858. 

The incidents of the voyage, after leaving 
Halifax, may as well be given in a few ex- 
tracts from Walter's journal, which became 
quite bulky before the docks of Liverpool came 
in view. 

Steamship Niagara, April 12, 1858. 

After a ramble of an hour or two in Halifax, 
we again embarked. The morning was fine, 
the wind fair, the ocean clear, and with paddles 
working, wheels turning, and all sails set, we 
went crashing, like a city afloat, towards the 
Old World. I had by this time so overcome 
sea-sickness as to eat a little, cultivate acquaint- 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 39 

ance with my fellow-voyagers, joke somewhat 
mournfully with some poor creatures not as for- 
tunate as myself, and have as good a time as a 
sea voyage will allow. 

Thus Friday and Saturday passed away, and 
Sabbath dawned upon the deep. 0, how differ- 
ent from Sabbath on the land ! The waves 
gliding underneath, the heavy tramp of multi- 
tudes on the deck overhead, the wide expanse 
of waters stretching out in all directions, the 
moaning of the deep, and the stagnant atmos- 
phere of the ship, all make Sabbath here a 
strange day. 

Others call it sublimely grand. But to me it 
is no Sabbath. I want the holy hush of a quiet 
home ; the church bell sounding out from city 
and village ; the sudden outpouring of the 
people, filling the lately deserted streets ; the 
sacred front of the house of God ; the swell of 
the organ ; the anthem of the choir ; and the 
sacred stillness of the sanctuary. The Catholic 
wants his crucifix, the Churchman wants his 
prayer book, the Dissenter wants the associations 
of plain, simple, Puritan worship ; but on ship- 
board there is so much noise and confusion that 
I cannot make it appear like the calm, still, 
quiet, holy day. 

At the proper hour we all assembled in the 



40 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

dining saloon for religions services. There 
were several ministers on board, and after the 
ship surgeon had read the beautiful English 
Church service, one of them preached a dis- 
course from the words of our Saviour, " And I, 
if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto mc." 
The sufferings and death of Christ were de- 
scribed, and the Saviour presented as the hope 
of the world. There were present at that ser- 
vice Jews and infidels, Catholics and Protes- 
tants, and all joined in singing the sweet songs 
of praise to a common Lord. The laws of the 
ship's company require the English service to 
be read on Sunday, and until recently the de- 
livery of sermons by any other than an Epis- 
copal clergyman was strictly prohibited ; but a 
few years ago a stir was made about it, and the 
agitation has brought about a change, and now 
Protestant ministers are invited to preach, what- 
ever may be their sentiments. 

April 13. 

To-day I went down into the regions occupied 
by the mammoth engine — a huge mechan- 
ical Behemoth. It seems like descending into 
Hades ; the blazing fire crackling and roaring, 
the intense heat, the coal-black firemen, who 
seldom come up into sunlight, the ponderous 
machinery, and the continual rumbling, hissing, 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 41 

steaming, give an idea of the world of bad 
spirits as described by poets and orators, and 
make you feel as if you had come into the ves- 
tibule of Dante's Inferno ; and though no Virgil 
comes to conduct us through, yet present fancy 
can do what absent Virgil does not. 

About sixty tons of coal are consumed daily, 
or seven hundred and twenty tons in a voyage 
of a dozen days. One hundred and ten men, 
including officers, cooks, stewards, porters, and 
sailors, are required to get this immense float- 
ing hotel across the deep. 

With father, I have been looking at the cook- 
ing department, and to me it was a matter of 
surprise how, in such a little cook room, food 
could be provided for two or three hundred 
persons with so much regularity and pre- 
cision. 

Much of our time on board is spent in eating 
— breakfast at eight o'clock, lunch at twelve, 
dinner at four, tea at seven, and a late supper 
between nine and ten, if any wish for it. Father 
says that all these meals are furnished with a 
punctuality and promptness that would do credit 
to the Revere House or St. Nicholas. I think I 
might imagine I was dining at some great hotel, 
did not every lurch of the ship make me think 
of sea monsters and shipwrecks. 



42 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

April 14. 

The steamer is ploughing the ocean in noble 
style, and we shall soon see the coast of Ireland. 
The chief feature of our voyage thus far has 
been a view of several icebergs. The first was 
seen on Saturday evening. It was a huge lump 
of ice of chalky whiteness, and lay like a mam- 
moth rock on the bosom of the deep. It was 
estimated by competent persons to be about 
one hundred feet long and sixty feet high. It 
looked cold and cheerless, and had the weather 
been thick and foggy, would have been a very 
unpleasant and dangerous neighbor. Father 
tells me that the great danger in crossing the 
Atlantic comes from two causes — fire and ice. 
The former, on board the royal mail steamers, is 
provided against. The discipline of the crew, 
the skill of the commander, the means for ex- 
tinguishing the flames, and the substantial and 
safe manner in which the vessels are built, form 
sufficient insurance against fire. 

But there are scarcely any provisions to be 
made against ice, scarcely any thing to do but 
to maintain ceaseless vigilance. Should one of 
these steamships strike an iceberg, with her 
speed of twelve miles an hour, she would prob- 
ably be destroyed at once. I was told to-day by 
an officer of this ship that the ill-fated Pacific was 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 43 

doubtless lost by collision with ice. The iron 
steamer Persia, which started from New York 
about the same time, ran into an iceberg, which 
fortunately had been softened by the action of 
sea and sun. So great was the speed, and so 
firm her iron sides, that she drove into the float- 
ing mass of snow and ice nearly half her length, 
carrying away her wheel houses, and doing 
serious mischief. There she was wedged in 
with the ice. A critical examination took place 
ere any attempt was made to move her, and for- 
tunately she was found to be firm, and after 
some trials was relieved from her perilous po- 
sition. 

The poor Pacific probably met some huge, 
hard iceberg, and, running on fearful speed, 
came in collision with it, and was sunk at once, 
not a single man returning to tell the awful 
tale. It is terrible — in a foggy day or night 
the iceberg cannot be seen one hundred feet 
ahead, and as speed is scarcely ever slackened, 
the danger is fearful when the monsters are 
near. 

On Sunday morning, also, we saw a huge ice- 
berg, supposed to be about one hundred and 
seventy feet high, and seven hundred feet long. 
It had three lofty pinnacles, and wore the same 
dead, chalky appearance as the one seen the 



44 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

previous evening. On the afternoon of the Sab- 
bath, the cry went through the ship, " An ice- 
berg, an iceberg ! " and we all rushed on deck 
to see one directly in our path. It was indeed 
a most magnificent spectacle. Its proximity to 
us caused the mercury to fall in the glass sev- 
eral degrees, and the whole sky assumed a 
dismal appearance. The sight of this one sea 
monster was worth all the toils and perils of our 
ocean voyage thus far, and more than compen- 
sated for all our sufferings. At first it looked 
like a huge cliff of chalk. As it came nearer, its 
position changed, and it looked like an immense 
headless dromedary. Then it assumed the ap- 
pearance of a cluster of round towers, thickly 
set together ; and as we sailed within half a 
mile of it, and had a full, fair view, it took the 
shape of a dismantled castle. We could seem 
to see the huge Gothic windows, the high pin- 
nacles, the wide doors, the lofty proportions and 
icy amplitude of an elegant structure. 

I asked Mr. Tenant some questions about the 
icebergs, and from him derived much valuable 
information. Floating down from the north, 
and drifting into warmer water, they are often 
undermined, and at times roll over with a 
mighty crash, making the very ocean boil with 
fury. A large part of the ice is below the sur 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 45 

fctee of the water, and I can easily conceive the 
danger of collision with such a monster. The 
line view obtained of this " sea-demon," as I 
heard father style it, I think I shall never forget ; 
its outlines are now as vivid in my mind as when 
I was gazing upon it. We, however, soon left 
it in the distance — the mighty thing which, 
perhaps, had been forming for hundreds of 
years in the cold north seas, now destined to 
dissolve and glide beneath the keel of the noble 
ship, and mingle with the waters of all climes. 

On Saturday evening the passengers were 
greeted with the cry, " Land, land ! " and soon 
the deck was crowded. Some, who had not been 
out of their state rooms for days, were anxious to 
obtain the first glimpse of the coast of Ireland. 
Among the rest, Walter and Minnie were strain- 
ing their eyes to see, they knew not what. Walter 
at length discerned what was said to be land, a 
bug, low, narrow, cloudy-looking line, which at 
first seemed to be hardly distinguishable from 
the clouds about it. 

" What land is that, father ? " asked Walter. 

" It is Tory Island, on the coast of Ireland, 
We are going in the north passage." 

" What is the north passage ? " 

Mr Percy explained. " You know, my son," 



46 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

he said, " that Ireland lies directly in the way ol 
a vessel from Boston bound to Liverpool, and in 
order to get into St. George's Channel, which 
separates England and Wales from Ireland, a 
vessel must go up around the north, or down 
around the south coast of Ireland. We are 
going in through the north passage. Some- 
times the south passage is taken." 

" What are the advantages of the north 
channel ? " 

" It saves fifty or sixty miles in the dis- 
tance. " 

" Then why is it not always taken ? " 

" Because in the winter season it is more 
dangerous ; and the British steamers in the win- 
ter generally take the south passage." 

"When shall we arrive, father?" asked 
Minnie. 

" I cannot tell, but probably some time to- 
morrow/ ' 

" 0, dear me ! I wish we could get there to- 
night. We have been cooped up in this steamer 
so long that I want to go on shore." 

" Be patient, my child ; we shall get there in 
good season." 

On Sabbath morning, the coast of Scotland 
was in view, and land was not lost sight of 
again. The Isle of Man was passed in the fore- 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 49 

noon, and the Niagara entered the River Mersey 
about noon. The pilot came on board, and 
Captain Wickman, who, during all the voyage, 
seemed to be pressed with the great weight of his 
responsibility, at once became sportive and famil- 
iar and seemed a new man. The great burden of 
care was removed from him, for he knew that if 
any accident befell the steamer now, the blame 
would not be his. When the houses of Birken- 
head came in view, and the captain's house could 
be seen in the distance, he Avent out upon the 
wheel house, and waved his white pocket hand- 
kerchief — a signal answered by the beating of 
some heart that waited for him there. 

All was now confusion below and eager ex- 
pectation on deck. Below, the porters were 
getting out the trunks, and preparing for the 
Custom House officers, who were expected on 
board. As soon as the ship came to anchor, a 
steamer came out and took away the mail bags, 
and some of the officers of the Niagara. Minnie, 
as she saw the tug about to put off, said to her 
father, whom she found calmly conversing with 
Mr. Tenant, " Come, father, come and put our 
baggage on board, and let us get ashore at once." 

Walter laughed ; he was posted. 

" Not so fast, my child," said Mr. Percy ; " our 
baggage must be examined first." 
vol. I. 4 



50 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Examined ? What ? " 

Again Walter laughed, and this time Mr. 
Percy joined, and a pout was seen on Minnie's 
lips. 

"Sis, I'll tell you," said Walter. "When 
certain goods are brought into this country, as 
father tells me, they are subject to duties." 

" Duties ! what are duties ? " 

" Why, taxes, which go to support the gov- 
ernment. And our baggage will all be searched, 
so that the Custom House officers may be sure 
we have nothing which is subject to duty." 

The matter was more fully explained to Minnie 
by her father, and soon she had a practical illus- 
tration, for the officers came aboard, and thrust 
their hands down into trunks, overhauling the 
cigars of the men, and the fancy boxes of the 
ladies, causing those who had the former to 
think smoking a costly luxury, and those who 
owned the other to think Custom House officials 
very inquisitive men, prying into ladies band- 
boxes and bundles very unceremoniously. 

But the whole was soon over, and the passen- 
gers, with their baggage, were taken into a tug, 
and carried up to the wharf. Here the children 
were almost bewildered with what they saw 
and heard. A multitude of cabmen, policemen, 
porters, and spectators crowded around them, 



THE ATLANTIC VOYAGE. 51 

and for a time it seemed difficult for them to 
retain their footing. But Mr. Percy called a 
drive r, who brought a carriage, and the, whole 
company, including Mr. Tenant, were driven to 
the Waterloo Hotel ; where, after tea, seated 
in a comfortable room in this tolerable hotel, 
Walter made the following record in his 
journal : — 

April 18. 

Here we are, at length, in Liverpool, the 
greatest commercial city of the world, as I have 
read. We reached the city at four o'clock on 
Sunday afternoon, and wont at once to the 
Waterloo House, where we soon found ourselves 
quietly entertained. As I landed, I felt as the 
old crusader did when he reached Palestine, and 
saw the towers of the city of Jerusalem shining 
in the sun — prostrated himself on the ground, 
and kissed the earth. I was almost willing to 
imitate the example of the old hero, when I 
first set foot on this soil, after days of sickness 
and weariness. I was very willing to exchange 
" life on the ocean wave " for life on the solid 
land ; where knives and forks would not dance 
together on the table, and where our bed at 
night would not, now and then, take a notion to 
stand on the headboard or footboard, thus re- 
versing the position of the sleeper to a most 



52 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

uncomfortable degree, — but where his head and 
feet would always be in their proper places, no 
longer at the mercy of the storm, the winds, and 
the waves. 

Thus our voyage is ended. We have had the 
usual events and excitements ; we have seen ice- 
bergs, steamers, vessels of all descriptions, and 
have escaped any serious storms. The acquaint- 
ances formed are about being broken up, and 
we now wander each his own way. Some press 
on at once to the great city — London; some, 
like ourselves, propose making the tour of Ire- 
land first, and others are scattering in other 
directions. Our plans are all made for a grand 
tour of the continent of Europe. 



GLIMPSES OP LIVERPOOL. 53 



Chapter III. 

GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 

ON Monday morning, Walter and Minnie 
were awake betimes, and ere Mr. Percy 
had fairly opened his eyes, Walter stood by his 
bed, with the question, " What shall I do for a 
journal ? My paper is exhausted." 

" I'll tell you, Walter," said Mr. Percy, after 
fully waking up — " I'll tell you what to do. In 
all these European cities there is for sale letter 
paper with views upon it. I think you will 
find, on letter paper, of the size you want, many 
views of Liverpool. You can get these views, 
and use the paper for your journal, and when 
we get back to Boston, if you keep the sheets 
clean and write neatly, I will have them bound 
up for you, and they will make a capital book." 

" What a notion, father." 

" Yet a good one ! " 

" Who ever did so ? " 

" No matter who ever did so. If the plan is 
a good one, be the first to adopt it." 

" I will." 



54 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Our minister, who was in Europe a few 
years ago, I remember, made a journal in this 
way, which was very interesting to all who saw 
it. The paper on which these plates are printed 
is generally good, and the views illustrate what 
is written, and fix in the memory the places 
seen." 

" Yes, sir, I see the plan is a good one, and I 
will adopt it. There is a bookstore near by, 
and if you will give me a quarter of a dollar, I 
will run out and get some, and be back before 
you are up." 

" A quarter of a dollar ? " 

" 0, I forgot ; we are in Liverpool, and I 
must have a shilling" 

The money was furnished, and Walter and 
Minnie went out to make the purchase. At the 
bookstore the views were found, and the selec> 
tion made, and before Mr. Percy appeared in the 
breakfast room Walter had' returned and written 
nearly half a page. 

" Father, don't you think it most time for the 
breakfast bell to ring ? " whispered Minnie. 

" They do not ring any bell." 

" Why not ? " 

" Walter some time will tell you that they do 
not have one long table and a definite hour for 
dinner, at English hotels, but whoever wishes 



GLIMPSES OP LIVERPOOL. 55 

dinner or tea gives the necessary order, and it 
is brought." 

" Have you ordered breakfast, father ? " 

" No, not yet, but Walter may go and do so." 

" Me, sir ? " queried Walter. 

a Yes, my son ; you might as well learn now 
to do these things ; so go and sec what you can 
do about it." 

Walter went to the servant, who stood wait- 
ing for orders, and said, " I wish to order 
breakfast." 

" For how many ? " 

" For three." 

" What will you have ? " 

" 0, I don't know." 

" How can I bring it then ? " 

" Let me see ; I'll think." 

The servant smiled, and Mr. Percy looked on, 
but thought best not to help his son out of the 
dilemma ; and indeed he did not need to, for 
Walter spoke out promptly, " We will have co£ 
fee, eggs, and mutton chop." 

The servant hurried away, and soon the table 
was covered with food, of which all partook with 
excellent appetites. While they were eating, Mr. 
Tenant joined them, and proposed some plans 
for the day. " We must do our work in Liver- 
pool very hastily, as we must leave in a short 
time," he said. 



56 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Well, where shall we go first ? " asked Mr. 
Percy. 

" I think we had better see the docks first, 
as they are the peculiar attraction of this 
city." 

It was so agreed, and breakfast being con- 
cluded, a cab was engaged, and the whole com- 
pany set out to see the docks. These docks are 
artificial basins built of huge blocks of stone, 
and the water in them is so enclosed as to float 
the vessels all the time, whatever may be the 
depth of the water in the river outside. They 
are built between the Mersey and the town, 
guarded from storms, and filled at high tide. 
Many of them can be entirely drained at low 
tide, or kept full, as circumstances may require. 
These docks, built at an immense expense, are 
capable of protecting a vast number of vessels, 
and distinguish Liverpool from all other places. 
As you approach the town, the shipping seems 
to be in the centre of the thickly-settled place. 
High walls and toppling warehouses can only be 
seen, with masts, flags, and pendants rising or 
moving above them and beyond them. Each 
dock has its water gate, and when any vessel 
wishes to go forth, the tide being up, the gate is 
opened, and she is turned out. 

The extent and magnificence of these docks, 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 57 

which are all surrounded with warehouses and 
stores for the reception or sale of goods, will bo 
seen when it is stated that the Saltliouse Docks 
occupy an area of nearly five acres, and cost 
three million dollars ; the Albert Dock covers 
an area of nearly eight acres, and cost about 
four million dollars ; the King's Dock has 
an area of more than seven acres, and cost 
nearly four million dollars ; the Queen's Dock 
covers an area of more than ten acres ; the 
Coburg Dock covers about five acres ; the 
Brunswick Dock covers nearly thirteen acres ; 
and several others nearly as extensive. 

All these docks were visited by the party, and 
they failed not to mark with admiration the fa- 
cilities for shipping purposes, and with pleasure 
the fact that in these vast basins were vessels 
from almost every clime. Walter and Minnie 
were much amused at what they saw, especially 
with the sailors who were hurrying round, and 
using odd expressions, and with the crowds who 
were constantly landing at the piers. The Mer- 
sey was full of vessels, some coming in and 
some going out ; some with white sails all spread, 
and some with paddles, funnels, and steampipes 
in full blast. The scene was exciting, and as 
the party stood gazing on, Walter recalled a 
few lines which he remembered to have read 



58 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

some time before, and which he thought must 
have been written with this view in the poet's 
eye : — 

" A thousand keels the subject wave divide, 
Float with the flow, or stem the ebbing tide — 
Winged messengers that haste, with sails unfurled, 
To barter produce with some distant world. 
With oar and paddle, sail and thundering steam, 
They row, they cleave, they plough the Mersey's stream — 
That stream which, fretted by a thousand prows, 
No silent rest, no liquid slumber, knows ; 
Whate'er the hour, whatever winds prevail, 
Behold the outward and the homeward sail ! " 

" Well done, Walter ; your memory is good, 
and no description of the scene now before us 
could be finer," said Mr. Tenant. 

Leaving the docks, the party rode to the 
Sailor's Home — a large, elegant building de- 
voted to seamen. This " Home " is the means 
of saving hundreds of poor sailors every year 
from destruction. It is a gem of architectural 
taste and beauty, and is always filled with the 
sons of the ocean. Walter and Minnie went 
into the reading room, and conversed with the 
hardy sailors there, one of whom took the young 
people through the building, into the neat, tidy 
sleeping rooms, into the spacious dining hall, 
and even into the kitchen. As they went from 
room to room, Walter's usually clear eye began 



GLIMPSES OP LIVERPOOL. 59 

to flash with unwonted fire ; and when he re- 
turned to his father, he said, " 0, how I wish we 
had such a grand * Home ' for the sailors as this 
in Boston." 

" We have ' Homes,' my son." 

" Yes, sir, but they are not like this." 

" And still, humble as they are, they may be 
accomplishing as much good." 

" Ah, Walter, you would make a good curate 
for Father Taylor," said Mr. Tenant, laugh- 
ingly. 

" I should like to be," said the lad, his whole 
face lighting up with noble enthusiasm. 

Leaving the " Home," the party rode away, 
and in passing the doors of one of the old 
churches, saw that some service was being held 
within. The driver reined his horses up at 
the door, and a large sign on the edifice in- 
formed the stranger that marriages were cele- 
brated at that hour on that day of the week. 

" We must go in, father," cried Minnie, " 0, 
the fun of going to a wedding this morning ! " 

" If we must, we must, Minnie," replied Mr. 
Percy ; " but I think it will be a loss of time." 

They all entered the church, and witnessed a 
novel spectacle, which " did pay," as Minnie 
afterwards declared. Eight couples or pairs 
were standing at the altar, strangers to each 



60 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

other, but all being married in one service. 
The clergyman hurried through the service, 
jumbling up his words, and making the whole 
thing ludicrous. As soon as the service was 
over, the minister hurried to an anteroom, and 
the sexton took the couples in one by one to 
sign the record and pay the fees ; and as Walter 
passed by the door, he saw the happy bride- 
grooms making the change, and counting out 
the shillings, just as regularly as if they had, 
instead of marrying a wife, been buying a pound 
of tea or a loaf of bread. 

u Father, father," cried Minnie, " I hope none 
of these men will make any mistake when they 
come out of that little room, and take the wrong 
bride." 

" Hush, hush, my child." 

" It would not matter much," whispered Wal- 
ter in the ear of his sister ; but a grave look on 
the face of Mr. Percy hushed their merriment. 

Leaving the church, they again entered the 
carriage, and when seated Mr. Percy said to 
Minnie, " What o'clock is it by your watch ? 
Is it not about time to dine ? " 

Minnie took out her watch, and, in vexation, 
exclaimed, " This watch, which you gave me for 
a birthday present, is not good for any thing at 
all." 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 61 

" Not good for any thing ! Why, it cost sixty 
dollars." 

" Well, yon may see. Here it is about noon, 
and my watch says that it is only seven o'clock. 
What do yon make of that ? " 

" Perhaps Walter can tell ns. Is it the fault 
of the watch or Minnie herself, my son ? " 

" 0, it is Minnie that is out of time." 

" What do you mean ? " 

" Why," said Mr. Percy, in explanation, " the 
time differs. Your watch would be just right if 
you were in New York or Boston, but the Lon- 
don time is about five hours ahead of New York 
time. It is now five minutes after seven by 
your watch, which was set before you left home, 
and, knowing the difference in the time, I am 
sure it is just twelve o'clock here. I am as con- 
fident as if I held my watch in my hand, and 
that, you know, I set this morning by the clock 
at the hotel." 

" But I would like to know more about it." 

" Walter will explain the whole to you some 
time, as I fully explained it to him on the 
voyage." 

" I have a calculation and a drawing which I 
made while on shipboard, which Minnie can 
have to look at. It shows the time, relatively, 
in different places, and the mate of the steamer 



62 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

told me it was right. It shows the time in five 
different places," said Walter. 

Minnie was much pleased witli the drawing, 
which is found on another page, and expressed 
the earnest wish that Walter would explain how 
it is that time diners so much in different 
places. 

By this time the carriage had reached the 
hotel, and the whole company were soon enjoy- 
ing themselves in different ways, while dinner 
was being prepared for them. Minnie had 
thrown herself upon the bed ; Walter was filling 
up his journal ; Mr. Percy was writing a letter 
to his wife ; while, we regret to say, that Mr. 
Tenant had his feet on the sill of the open win- 
dow, and was making his mouth a smoke pipe 
for the fumes of a cigar, to the use of which he 
was somewhat devoted. 

" I think," said the latter, holding his cigar 
between his fingers, " that one would hardly 
select Liverpool as a place of residence, inde- 
pendent of business considerations. The streets 
are irregular, and filled with seamen and dock 
laborers of the lowest class ; houses, stores, and 
workshops are strangely mixed together ; and 
ignorance and poverty are distinctly seen." 

" And yet," replied Mr. Percy, who had fin- 
ished his letter, and was folding it, " we have 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 68 

seen some fine public buildings, among which 
are the Exchange, the Sailors' Home, St. George's 
Hall, and several others ; and I am told that 
there are parks and cemeteries of great beauty." 

" True ; but you see that the city is devoted 
to commerce, and only those men live here 
who " 

" Dinner ready, sir," cried a servant, opening 
and shutting the door ; and our friends repaired 
to the table, where a fine piece of English roast 
beef was set before them, which, with sharpened 
appetites, they discussed with great hilarity. At 
the table the question was asked, " Well, where 
shall we go this afternoon, Walter ? " 

Walter had been looking over the guide books, 
in search of objects of interest, and replied, u I 
should like to go to St. James's Cemetery, said 
to be a lovely spot." 

" I have no objection to that," said Mr. Percy. 

" Nor I," added Mr. Tenant. 

But Minnie voted in the minority. " 0, do 
not go there. Walter is always looking after 
cemeteries, tombs, and old buildings. Let us 
go to the Zoological Gardens, for I should much 
rather see leopards, lions, and monkeys, than 
tombstones." 

" We can go to both places, my child, so that 
both of you can be gratified." 



54 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The carriage was called, and away they rode 
to St. James's Cemetery, situated in a deep deV 
surrounded by high hills, in which excavations 
are made for tombs. Almost the first object 
which meets the eye, on entering, is a Grecian 
oratory, in which are several monuments to the 
crumbling memory of the dead. On every side 
are statues and effigies, the poor memorials of 
once living, moving men. This burial place is 
one of much rural beauty, and, from its pic- 
turesque situation in what was once a stone 
quarry, in the sides of which are several sculp- 
tured galleries of catacombs, draws the attention, 
and claims a visit from every stranger. The 
great object of interest, however, is the marble 
statue of the Right Hon. William Huskisson, 
formerly one of the most distinguished citizens 
of Liverpool. The statue stands in a circular 
oratory, and was made in Rome by an English 
artist. 

It did not take our party long to go through 
these grounds, and glance at the various objects 
of interest, as the whole area contains but about 
forty-four thousand square yards, and, as a mi- 
nute inspection of such a place was not needed, 
the visit to this home of the dead was soon con- 
cluded. In returning, the whole party called 
on the minister, who lives in a handsome stone 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 65 

house near by, who gave them several items of 
useful information in relation to the grounds. 
During his conversation, he called the oratory a 
" Greek Hypaetliral temple," a term which Min- 
nie could not understand, and which she re- 
solved to ask Walter to explain, but which she 
forgot to do, as her mind was not on oratories 
and temples, but on the elephants and lions she 
expected soon to see. 

They next drove to the Zoological Gardens, 
where the remainder of the afternoon was spent. 
They went from the cage of one animal to anoth- 
er, from one cage of birds to another, until they 
had seen the whole — elephant, lion, monkey, 
and all. One or two amusing things occurred 
here. There was a huge ostrich closely con- 
fined, and when Minnie laid her hand on the 
bars of his prison, he snapped at her, and she 
was obliged to withdraw her hand. But as the 
bird stood with his head against the bars, she 
took out her gold pencil, and tapped him on 
the bill. 

" You had better let him alone, little girl," 
said the keeper. 

" 0, he won't hurt me ; " and she continued 
tapping his beak with her jewelled pencil. The 
bird watched his opportunity, and seized the 
pencil in his mouth., and swallowed it. 
VOL. i. 5 



66 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Well, I declare," cried Minnie. 

" What is the matter ? " asked her father. 

" Matter enough. This great ugly bird has 
swallowed my pencil." 

" I told you to be careful," said the keeper. 

" That is just the way with Minnie ; she is al- 
ways getting into trouble," said Walter. " That 
is the third new pencil she has had within three 
months." 

" Well, I didn't know the creature would 
eat it." 

" Well, let it go now," said Mr. Percy ; " only 
be more careful another time, my daughter." 

" I think, Minnie, you are growing somewhat 
extravagant," added Mr. Tenant, " to feed your 
pet birds on gold pencils, at five dollars each." 

" 0, what plagues men are ! " 

Returning from the gardens, our friends 
sought rest, for they had had a wearisome day. 
In the evening Walter and Minnie staid in 
their rooms, and amused themselves as best they 
could, while the two gentlemen went out to 
find some kind of night entertainment. On 
turning the corner of a street, they saw a pla- 
card on the wall, informing the public that a 
mass missionary meeting was to be held that 
evening at Great George Street Chapel, where 
the very venerable Dr. Raffles preaches. Ex- 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 67 

pecting to hear some of the celebrated men of 
Liverpool speak, they directed their steps to the 
church, which is an elegant structure, the prin- 
cipal elevation of which consists of a semicircu- 
lar portico of fluted columns, reminding one of 
the temple of Jupiter Stator, surmounted by a 
dome, and occupying a most beautiful situation ; 
being, internally and externally, a most imposing 
edifice. They entered the church, and were 
fortunate enough to hear two of the most cele- 
brated men of Liverpool. One of them was Dr. 
Raffles himself. Mr. Percy had long known of 
this eloquent clergyman, the successor and 
biographer of the lamented Spencer, who, while 
bathing in the Mersey, was drowned, one of 
the brightest lights of the English pulpit being 
extinguished suddenly. On the present occa- 
sion, Dr. Raffles made a speech — a venerable 
man, with his head whitening, yet speaking with 
a mighty power ; speaking until his own soul 
glows with his theme ; until the perspiration 
stands in great drops upon his noble brow ; un- 
til the audience lean forward, as his grand 
periods roll out ; until each man clutches his 
purse, ready to pour its contents into the plate 
when it comes ; until breathing is almost sup- 
pressed, and the whole assembly is melted, or 
thrilled to the most intense emotion. 



68 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

He was followed by Hugh Stowell Brown, a 
man as popular as Dr. Raffles, but of a different 
style entirely. He made a telling speeeh, and 
the interest with which he was watched, and the 
enthusiasm with which the sentences, as they fell 
from his lips, were caught up, showed the esti- 
mation in which he was held. 

The gentlemen were surprised to find that all 
the telling things were applauded, even in a re- 
ligious meeting, which at times was as uproarious 
as a political convocation in our country could 
be. The speeches were interrupted with con 
stant cries of " Hear, hear ; " and the stamping 
of feet and clapping of hands seemed to Mr. 
Percy to be quite out of place in the house of 
God. However, he was very glad to hear these 
two celebrities of the Liverpool pulpit, the latter 
of whom has done much good and gained much 
influence by lecturing to the working men. 

On his return from the meeting, he found 
Walter writing in his journal, and Minnie asleep 
on the sofa, the latter of whom was soon sent 
away to bed, and the former read what he had 
written in his diary to his father for correction ; 
and so ended a laborious day in Liverpool, 

There were other objects of interest in the 
place, which were visited on the following day. 
And among these is worthy of mention the new 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. C9 

St. George's Hall, a noble public building erected 
for musical entertainments, and justly an object 
of pride to the citizens of the place The floors 
are marble, set in beautiful, many-colored mo- 
saics ; the walls and ceilings are profusely and 
appropriately ornamented ; the decorated pillars 
and arches create a fine effect, while one of the 
largest and noblest organs in the world, which cost 
thirty-five thousand dollars, pours out its rich, 
liquid music over the people. The children, who 
had never seen any such hall before, were very 
much pleased, and Walter rapidly took pencil 
sketches of the end which contained the organ. 

" Is there any hall in our country so splendid 
as tliis, father ? " asked Minnie. 

" No, my child, I think not." 

" Why not ? " 

" Because our plain people think that plainer 
structures best subserve the public good, The 
price of evening entertainments in such a hall as 
this would be so great, that few would attend 
them, and the property would be unprofitable. " 

" Shall we see many halls like this ? " 

" Not many halls like this ; but before you re- 
turn to Boston, you will see buildings such as 
you have never imagined." 

Having seen this great hall, it was suggested 
that a jaunt be taken to Birkenhead, which rises 



70 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

from the banks of the Mersey, nearly opposite 
Liverpool. The suggestion was adopted, and 
soon in a ferry boat the river had been crossed, 
and our friends were wandering about in Birk- 
enhead. 

" This seems to be a new town," said Walter. 

" Yet," replied Mr. Percy, " forty years ago 
the whole population was less than fifty persons, 
and now they are numbered by scores of thou- 
sands," 

As they passed along, they found Birkenhead 
to resemble less an English than an American 
city, and it seemed to them to be to Liverpool 
what Brooklyn is to New York — the sleeping 
chamber of a metropolis. Many wealthy men 
who do business in Liverpool reside at Birken- 
head, which is more quiet than the giant city 
on the other bank of the Mersey. It is well 
laid out, has its parks, and churches, and objects 
of interest, all of which our party visited. None 
of them were of more interest than the ruins of 
an ancient abbey founded in the year 1190 by 
the Baron of Dunham, Hainan Massie, and long 
occupied by monks, who trod its pavements, and 
made its walls echo with their songs. Several 
arches, pillars, and other evidences of the former 
beauty of the structure which now lies in ruins 
were seen. An examination of the town occu- 



GLIMPSES OP LIVERPOOL. 71 

pied most of the day, and the party concluded to 
dine before returning ; and as the eating houses 
were plenty, they found one where they were well 
accommodated, and dined at a much cheaper 
rate than they could have done at the hotel. 
The dinner over, they all repaired to the ferry, 
just as the shades of evening began to gather. 
Walter remarked that the ferry arrangements 
were the most perfect he had ever seen, and in- 
stead of being built as cheaply as possible, as 
some of ours are, the piers, and tide walls, and 
gateways seemed to have been constructed with 
an eye to elegance, rather than to economy, and 
indulged in some remarks not highly compli- 
mentary to American ferries. His father checked 
him with the remark, that this ferry belongs to 
the town of Birkenhead, and not to private own- 
ers or a corporation, and that all the profits are 
expended in beautifying the surroundings. 

" Yes," added Mr. Tenant, " Walter must re- 
member that our country is young ; we have 
less wealth, and cannot expect the perfection in 
these things which is attained in England." 

Thus conversing, the party crossed the ferry, 
and walked up to the hotel, where the evening 
was spent in social intercourse with several 
American friends who were in town at that time. 
Some days were occupied in viewing the place 



72 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

and becoming acquainted with its people and 
institutions, and one bright morning the com- 
pany started for Ireland, going on the way a 
little into the interior. 

A couple of cabs took the whole party with 
their luggage to the station house, a magnificent 
edifice, the front of which, with its thirty-six 
three-quarter Corinthian columns, and its grand 
arched doorways, cost thirty-five thousand dol- 
lars, which, added to the cost of the rest of the 
structure, with its glass roof and heavy finish, 
makes the building a very expensive one. 

As here we are to take the cars, it may 
be well to describe the railroads and rail car- 
riages, which differ from ours. Minnie made 
herself quite merry over them, when she saw 
them, but probably had some reason to think 
afterwards that all the advantage was not on our 
side. There are three classes of cars, and for 
either of them the traveller purchases his ticket, 
as he may choose. Having secured his ticket, 
he is generally sent into a separate room, where 
he finds others who are to ride in the same class 
cars. If he be a third-class passenger, he does 
not see those who are to ride in the first and 
second-class cars. They too are shut up, to 
await the hour of starting. When this arrives, 
the first-class passengers are taken from the room 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 73 

where they have been held in durance, and 
seated comfortably in the cars without noise or 
jostling, and the doors are closed, and, in some 
instances, locked. Then the second-class pas- 
sengers arc seated, and at length the third. 
The cars are short, being only about eight or ten 
feet long and six wide, and are frequently di- 
vided by a partition as high as the head of a 
person sitting ; or, if they are longer, are divided 
into separate apartments. The first class are 
well arranged, well fitted, and comfortable; but 
the fare in them is so high, that few besides the 
nobility and the wealthy ride in them. The 
second-class cars are destitute of cushions, and 
almost every other comfort. On the hard seat, 
witli the straight back, the passenger is com- 
pelled to sit, with his feet covered up with boxes 
and baggage, gazing upon the placards which 
are pasted up on the sides and ends of the car. 
Generally these cars have two seats, each hold- 
ing five persons — one half looking into the faces 
and trampling upon the feet of the other half. 
The window, or ventilator, as it should be called, 
is a small, square aperture in the door, like the 
window of a coach, and generally has a slide of 
glass, but sometimes only of wood, to keep out 
the rain In these cars we do not have the com- 
forts that we find in our own cars. There is no 



74 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

opportunity to walk about, and scarcely any to 
stand up, some of the cars not being high 
enough for a tall man. The third-class cars 
are somewhat longer, and have rough seats, like 
some of our baggage cars, and are no more 
comfortable or convenient. The fare is higher 
for this class than in our country for the best, 
and more ride in this than in either of the other 
classes. The distances are generally short, and 
people sacrifice ease to economy. 

The railroad arrangements are all much safer 
than among us. The roads are better built, the 
tracks are better laid, and there is a confidence 
which one never feels when in the express trains 
on the American side of the Atlantic. 

But to return to our friends whom w.e left in 
the station house. Seating themselves in the 
cars, the train started out through a dark, 
smutty tunnel, which is a most wonderful arti- 
ficial excavation beneath the town. This tunnel 
is six thousand six hundred and ninety feet long, 
seventy-five feet wide, and fifty-one feet high, and 
passes directly under the place, while over it 
rise churches, houses, halls, and places of trade 
and industry. He who had never rode in a rail 
car would hardly be willing to begin by riding 
through this subterranean passage. The op- 
pressive darkness, which can be felt ; the cold, 



GLIMPSES OF LIVERPOOL. 75 

a jmp chill, which pierces to the bones ; the 
glaring lamp on the engine, and the screaming 
of the iron horse, — all render the five minutes 
spent under the streets and temples of the great 
mart of commerce most unpleasant and dis- 
agreeable. 

As they went on, Minnie clung to her father, 
who felt a trembling of her body, as the cars 
rolled swiftly into increasing darkness, and she 
hardly dared to breathe, so fearful was the pas- 
sage through ; and not until they emerged, and 
began to dash along in open sunlight, did she 
breathe freely. 

The party arrived at the old town of Chester, 
after a circuitous ride of some hours, and a stop 
at one or two places on the way. Chester is 
but a half hour's ride from Liverpool ; but our 
friends preferred to take one or two interesting 
towns in the course, and it was high noon when 
they found themselves on the way to an inn in 
this ancient place. 

" Stop," said Walter, when some distance 
from the station house. 

" What for, my son ? " asked his father. 

" I have left my new gutta percha cane in 
the cars." 

" How careless ! " said Minnie. 

" Wait, and I will run back," said the lad. 



76 



THE PERCY FAMILY 



He had purchased a new gutta percha walk- 
ing stick, finely mounted with silver, just before 
starting, and had left it in the car ; and when he 
reached the station house the train was gone, 
and he did not find the article, or gain any in- 
formation as to what had become of it. 

" Never mind, Walter," said his father ; " I 
will buy you a new one. But you must be 
more careful in future." 

Walter inwardly resolved that that should be 
the last thing he would lose if carefulness 
could do any good ; and on the party went. 




WALTER S TIME TABLE, 
(See page 62.) 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 77 



Chatter IV. 

A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 

AN antique looking inn, of the old style and 
time, standing in one of the proudest streets 
of Chester, had a look so inviting that our trav- 
ellers entered and dined there. In an old wain- 
scoted room, with dim and venerable pictures 
on the walls, the table was set, and without 
much effort of imagination Walter put himself 
back a hundred or two years, into the old times 
when every innkeeper was a portly man, rotund 
and merry, or a bonnie woman, with a pretty 
daughter ; and every inn had some fancy name, 
varying from Black Bear to Green Dragon, from 
White Swan to Black Ea<rle. The hostess was 
an English lady of forty years, who doubtless 
could say, — 

" I am an innkeeper, and know my goods, 
And study them," — 

and who seemed as much at home in her busi- 
ness as Giles Gosling or old Harry Baillie could 
be. A hundred years ago the inn was a public 



73 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

institution. Men's characters and fortunes were 
made and lost there ; it was the cradle and the 
tomb of revolutions ; it controlled alike the par- 
son and the hangman ; a sort of third estate, of 
which the keeper was the autocrat. And the 
" Swan Inn " reminded our travellers of the old 
times ; and Walter, who had revelled in Eng- 
lish history, grew enthusiastic in praise of 
" mine host," as he termed the woman who an- 
swered his calls. The swan painted on the old 
swing sign, the old sideboard just as it used to 
be, the long bench for the people waiting to be 
served, all helped the illusion. 

" This old room looks as if it might have 
sliding panels and secret doors," said Walter. 

" It is more likely to have rat holes and mice 
nests," suggested Minnie. 

" Try the panels, Walter," added Mr. Tenant. 

Walter tried the panels, rapped them with his 
knuckles, which, though they gave back a hollow 
sound, did not move, and Minnie only laughed 
at him for his pains. 

Just then dinner was brought in. It con- 
sisted of fried ham and eggs, with nice white 
bread and coffee. The ham was cut in such 
thin, delicate slices, the eggs looked so fresh 
and nice, the bread was so white, the cream so 
rich, the butter so sweet, and the coffee so clear, 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 79 

that all thoughts of sliding panels and secret 
doors gave place to intense satisfaction with the 
excellent entertainment provided by the host- 
ess ; and Walter ate as voraciously and unpoet- 
ically as if he had not been trying to indulge in 
romance over an old, dilapidated inn, and an 
old, wretched room therein. 

Dinner over, the party went out to see the 
town ; and a quaint old town they found it to 
be. It gives the traveller a very fine idea of the 
style of the middle ages ; for enough yet re- 
mains of the old English fashion, that one seems 
taken back two or three centuries. The place 
retains all the peculiar plainness of the English 
architecture of a dead and buried age, and the 
times of William the Conqueror seem here to 
be handed down to us. As they walked along, 
looking up at the curiously constructed houses, 
Walter asked his father, " Who founded this 
place ? " 

" I don't know, indeed. Sir Thomas Elyot, 
in 1520, declared that Magus, son of Japhet, 
was its founder." 

" What, almost as old as the flood ? " 

" That would make it so ; but Ranulph Hig- 
den, a monkish historian of the place, tells us 
the founder was a giant, Leon Gawr, who began 
by building mostly under ground." 



80 THE PERCY FAMILY 



--*• 



" And which statement can we take ? " 

" Probably neither is correct — but every 
thing around us indicates that the city is very 
ancient ; and probably, if you say it is one of 
the oldest in the world, you will not come far 
out of the way." 

" When do we have reliable information in 
relation to its condition ? " 

" About tbe times of Roman power in the 
island we begin to get positive information, and 
after that it figures conspicuously on the pages 
of history." 

By this time the party had arrived at the flight 
of steps over which they were to reach the top 
of the old Roman wall that entirely surrounds 
the town. The ancient Britons had mud walls 
where these now stand : but when the Romans 
in their ruthless power rolled over the land, they 
were swept away, and the massive towers and 
thick battlements we now see rose in their place. 

There is not a city in England where the 
walls are so perfect as these. They form a 
rampart around the town, and furnish one of 
the most delightful promenades imaginable. 
The visitor can look down upon the crooked 
streets, quaint houses, and ruined churches on 
one side, and out upon the wide, open country 
">n the other side. These walls are a little more 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 81 

than one and three fourth miles long, and every 
foot is rich with historic interest. Britons, 
Saxons, and Danes have shed their blood upon 
them ; and they stand to-day, after many cen 
turies have beat upon them, monuments of hu 
man passion and the fates of war. No stranger 
ever goes into Chester without taking a walk 
upon these walls, and no traveller who has once 
walked around will ever forget the strange im- 
pressions made upon his mind. 

Commencing the circuit, under the guidance 
of an old man, who was born in Chester, and 
who told Walter he had never been Um miles 
away from the town, they were pointed to the 
place where once stood the " Saddler's Tower," 
which, falling into a dangerous state of decay, 
was taken down nearly a bundled years ago. 
It was once the meeting place of a company of 
saddlers, and derived its name from tin's circum- 
stance. A few paces on, and a majestic tower 
rose before them. The old man said, " This is 
called the Phoenix Tower. Hundreds of years 
ago, it was known as Newton Tower." 

" Why is it called Phoenix Tower now ? " 
asked Walter. 

" Because," said the guide, " the figure of a 
phoenix is over the front of it. Do you see it 
there ? " 

vol. I. 6 



82 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Yes, and I see an inscription. What is it ? " 
Walter read aloud, — 

KING CHARLES 

STOOD ON THIS TOWER 

SEPTEMBER XXIV. MDCXLV . AND SAW 

HIS ARMY DEFEATED 

ON ROWTON MOOR. 

The guide then gave a long description of the 
battle. Charles had suffered several terrible 
defeats ; his army had been driven from point to 
point, and now lie stood gazing upon the battle 
which was to test his strength, and, perhaps, de- 
cide the fate of his kingdom. He waited not 
long ; the contest became more terrible, and 
soon the shouts of the soldiers of Cromwell an- 
nounced to him that his cause was lost, and that 
he must flee. Soon his soldiers came crowding 
in upon him, followed by the psalm-singing le- 
gions of the Protector. 

Tli is was the account given by the guide, and 
Walter said he would remember the statement, 
and compare it with the facts, and see if it was 
correct ; which he afterwards did, and found the 
old gentleman was not wholly right in his de- 
scription, as the guides are not always expected 
to be. 

From the top of this tower a fine view was 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 83 

obtained, and tbe gentlemen stood admiring it ; 
but Minnie and Walter plied the old gentleman 
with questions about the battle. They were ab 
sorbed in that, and the guide, seeing their ear- 
nestness, told them he would answer any ques- 
tions they might ask about it. 

" What did the king do," said Minnie, " when 
he saw the men run ? " 

" He walked slowly and sadly down over the 
steps by which you came in, leaning on the arm 
of an honorable citizen of the place." 

" How long did he stay here ? " 

" He escaped the next day, and went to an- 
other part of the kingdom." 

" What became of him ? " 

"He was executed — beheaded within three 
years afterwards." 

" And what did the opposing army do when 
the king had gone ? " 

" They staid in front of the city until famine 
and starvation compelled the governor to 
surrender ; then the gate was opened, the 
soldiers marched in, destroyed the fortress, 
defaced the public works, and did much mis- 
chief." 

Leaving the tower, they came to the north 
gate, and the children, on looking over the wall, 
saw that a street passed under it, and that over 



84 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the street was a noble arched gate, amid the 
stones of which the humble ivy clung — a gate- 
way which, in years past, had admitted kings 
and conquerors to the ancient city. It was 
curious to look down upon the queer houses be- 
low, with their peculiar roofs and sides, looking 
as if they belonged to a dead age. 

Next they reached the watch lower, called 
Morgan's Mount, on which, in times of war, a 
battery is placed ; and woe to the enemy that 
comes within reach of its guns. Walter was 
anxious to know whence the tower derived its 
name, but the guide could not tell him. While 
the rest went on, he ran up the winding stair- 
case, to an open space on the top, and had 
another fine view of the country, at which he 
gazed with so much interest, that he almost for- 
got that he was alone, and was called to his 
senses by the shout of his father, who wished to 
hurry him along. He found the rest of the 
party in front of the Goblin Tower, a semicircu- 
lar structure, now called Pemberton's Parlor. 

" What is this ? " said Walter, as he came up 
to his friends. 

" The Goblin Tower," answered the old 
guide. 

" Why do they call it so ? " 

The old man then related a long ghost story, 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 85 

from which he said the tower derived its name. 
But as such foolish stories never should be told, 
we will not repeat what he said. It is foolish 
for any one to believe in ghost stories, and 
little boys have far more reason to be afraid of 
wicked men, and even of their own wicked 
hearts, than of ghosts and goblins. 

Next the attention of the party was attracted 
by some modern baths, which were reached by a 
flight of stone steps. The day was warm, and 
Minnie was weary, and so it was agreed that the 
company should sit a while on the wall, resting 
and enjoying the prospect, while Walter in- 
dulged in the luxury of a bath, which was ob- 
tained for a penny, or two cents. When he re- 
turned they started on, and soon came to two 
towers, near each other, one called Bonewal- 
des-thorne's Tower, and the other the Water 
Tower. Walter tried to pronounce the name of 
the first, but made poor work of it, and Minnie 
asked him if he was talking Dutch or Hindoo. 
Both of these towers are much shattered. The 
Puritan cannon was planted on Bruera's Hill, at a 
little distance, and these riddled towers tell of the 
mischief done by them. In them are kept many 
trophies of other days, which Walter and Minnie 
examined with much care. Here are rusty 
swords and daggers, with the blood of murder 



86 . THE PERCY FAMILY. 

yet eating in ; here are trophies taken in battle, 
mingled with the peaceful evidences of better 
days. 

Thus the party went on, by the infirmary, and 
the city jail, the remains of Black Friars 
Monastery, the castle, and many other things 
which were odd and pleasing to the eye. They 
made a hasty visit to the armory of the castle, 
where they saw thirty thousand stands of arms. 
The children were amazed at this display, and 
Mr. Percy told them that these arms were kept 
here in time of peace, but if war should be de- 
clared, they would be taken to supply the sol- 
diers who would enlist. 

As they again stood on the wall, the guide 
said, " Here you see the River Dee flowing along 
by the town." 

" Where ? " inquired Walter. 

" Why, right before you, my little man." 

" What, this insignificant stream here ? " 

" You must remember, my son," said Mr. 
Percy, " that the rivers of England are not like 
those in America. Here a stream which in our 
country would be too small for a name, is digni- 
fied with the appellation of ' river,' and is 
looked upon as an important feature of the 
country." 

" I have read so much about the ' noble Dee,' 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 8? 

that I thought it would be like the Hudson, or, 
at least, as large as Charles River." 

" Well, if you don't like the river, look at that 
bridge, and see how you like that," said the 
guide, pointing to a bridge thrown across the 
stream. " It has but one arch, but that is the 
largest stone arch in the world." 

" How much is the span ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" Two hundred feet," was the reply. 

" What do you call it ? " 

" Grosvenor's Bridge, and it cost thirty thou- 
sand pounds." 

Soon they reached a flight of steps, leading 
down from the wall, and the attention of the 
children was directed to them. " There," said 
the guide, " are the Wishing Steps." 

" Wishing Steps ! " said Walter ; " what are 
they called so for ? " 

" I will tell you, as it was told me long ago. 
If any person will wish for any thing, though it 
be a crown or a throne, a kingdom or a fortune, 
And run up these steps once, and down again, 
and then up to the top the second time, without 
taking breath, he will have his wish." 

Walter went to the foot of the steps, and 
thought over what most he wished, and then 
started up the steps ; but when he arrived at the 
top the first time, he found himself out of 



88 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

breath, and, with considerable vehemence, de- 
clared the steps " a cheat, for nobody could go 
over them twice without taking breath." 

As they went on, laughing at Walter for his 
pains, they came to the place where they first 
mounted the wall, and, passing down the long 
flight of steps, found themselves in the street 
below. Minnie was amused at the names of 
the streets. She found them so curious that she 
wrote some of them down on a paper — such as 
Watergate Street, Common Hall Street, Linen 
Hall Street. And then there were many lanes, 
such as Love Lane, Fleshmongers Lane, (so called 
because many butchers formerly resided there,) 
the Old Law Lane, and many others. And then 
there were roivs, — such as Paradise Row, 
Brokenshin Row, Pepper Alley Row. There 
are " places " running in from the street, and 
one of these Minnie noticed was called " Puppet 
Show Entry." All these curious names are de- 
rived from something in the past, which now has 
no existence ; but the names remain, as curious 
as the city itself. 

The houses of Chester should be described. 
Many of them were built centuries ago, and 
have all the characteristics of the olden times. 
They are erected so as to protect the sidewalk 
in front, the second story projecting over the 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 89 

street, and supported on pillars, so that a man 
may walk the whole length of a street in a 
rainy day, looking into the windows of the shops, 
and not be wet. These rude arcades furnish 
shelter from the storm, and protect from the 
burning rays of the summer sun. 

In many of these houses the frames are seen, 
being on the outside, and filled in with plaster 
or cement. A house thus finished makes a 
grotesque and lively appearance, the plaster be- 
ing drab or white, and the beams, posts, braces, 
and other timbers, being painted red or green. 
Some of the modern houses are built in this 
style to conform to the old ones, which are fall- 
ing to pieces with age. It is not seldom that the 
fronts of these houses are profusely ornamented. 
There is an old structure known as Bishop 
Lloyd's House, which is very old, its history run- 
ning back many hundreds of years. The whole 
front is covered with carvings of Scripture 
scenes, and though ancient and unique, it stands 
as a wonderful specimen of art ; and the party 
lingered long before it, gazing on it with admi- 
ration. 

In passing from spot to spot, they came to 
the Stanley House, so called because a family 
of that name built it for a city palace. On its 
front are carved the figures 1591, indicating the 



90 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

date of its erection. It has three elaborately 
carved gables, and is probably one of the oldest 
timber houses in the world ; and many go to look 
at it with interest and pleasure. 

They came to the " Yatch Inn," and as Wal- 
ter looked upon its venerable walls, he asked his 
father what there was about the inn that made 
it seem familiar. 

" I don't know, my son." 

" Well, I have heard of this inn somewhere, 
and there is some history connected with it 
which I cannot now recall." 

Mr. Tenant assisted the memory of Walter, 
and asked him if he had not heard of the anec- 
dote of Dean Swift, the witty, eccentric, and 
sacrilegious ecclesiastic, which is found in the 
hand-books of Chester. 

" No, I never did. What is it ? " 

" Why, it is said that the dean came to Ches- 
ter, and stopped at the ' Yatch Inn,' and from 
his rooms sent out for a number of clergymen 
to come and dine with him. They did not 
know the dean, or, not caring to make his 
friendship, did not come. The table was spread, 
and groaned beneath the luxuries placed upon 
it, but the dean was the only person to sit down 
to it. He was chagrined and shamed by the 
treatment, and scratched upon the window 




ODS PROVIDENCE HOU 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 93 

of his room the following couplet, which re- 
mained for a long time : — 

* Rotten without and mouldering within, 
This place and its clergy are both near akin.' " 

There was another house in Chester that in- 
terested the whole party very much ; and even 
Minnie, who said she hated old buildings and 
fallen churches, could not but view it with emo- 
tion. In Watergate Street stands the old timber 
house on the front of which is a very striking 
inscription — 

GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS MINE INHERITANCE. 

The house is called " God's Providence 
House," and the children were very anxious to 
know its history. The old guide told them the 
story, which affected them very much. He told 
them that in the year 1652, a disease called the 
" Sweating Plague " was prevalent in England, 
and Chester was dreadfully scourged by it. It 
appeared mostly among men, but few women 
being smitten by it. In that dreadful year, about 
one thousand persons died in this little place of 
this malignant disease. The city had been 
ravaged by war, but this new besieger seemed 
invincible, and the noblest citizens were hurried 



94 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

into eternity. Silence reigned in the streets, 
and the grass grew where, until now, the dust 
was pressed by the tramp of man and beast. 
One house, that now before us, was un visited by 
the King of Terrors. It was occupied by a 
Quaker family, and was the only one in the whole 
place where death had not set his fatal signet. 
This one family alone escaped the pestilence 
that walked in darkness and wasted at noonday. 
The house now bears the inscription above men- 
tioned, and is an affecting illustration of that 
providence that wrote " passover " on the door- 
posts of this one single habitation, when all 
others in that city were scourged with death. 

They found an old lady sitting in the door- 
way, plying her needle, and Mr. Percy addressed 
her thus : " Do you have many visitors to see 
this house ? " 

" Yes, scores every day." 

" Then you make it profitable." 

" 0, no ; they do not come in, but content 
themselves with gazing on the outside." 

" Do you know who had the inscription carved 
on the front of your house ? " 

" The good man who lived here when the 
plague prevailed. He did not do as many others 
do when spared by Heaven's bounty and be- 
neficence." 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 95 

" All, what is that ? " 
" Forgot iti a day God's providence. " 
" Good woman, yon are quite a preacher." 
" No ; God's providence preaches from the 
inscription on this honse ; but there are few 
that profit by the preaching." 

Mr. Percy put a shilling into Walter's hand, 
who gave it to the woman, who smiled her 
thanks, and the party passed on until they came 
to " the cathedral," which occupies a spot on 
which the Romans once built a temple to Apol- 
lo, and where, still later, had stood an object 
of veneration — a Druid temple. An abbey, in 
which devout monks chanted and sang, took 
the place of these, and in 1402 this gorgeous, 
majestic cathedral rose in massive grandeur and 
elegant proportions. It is built of red sand, 



stone, and time has been rounding its edges> 
until they look now like huge, red, round 
paving stones, set in the wall. The niches, 
which abound on the outside of the building, 
are now tcnantless, the images and effigies that 
once filled them having fallen out ; and the 
time-worn aspect of the whole makes an im- 
pression on the beholder which he does not soon 
forget. 

Within, the huge dimensions, the Tudor 
arches, the beautiful stained glass windows, 



96 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

monuments to the memory of the illustrious 
dead, — to Dean Swift, John Moore Napier, and 
many others, — the massive stone screen of the 
choir, the stairs of heavy oak, the various chap- 
els, and all the adornments of a cathedral, are 
grand and impressive as one can imagine. The 
nave is one hundred and sixty feet long, seventy- 
four and a half feet wide, and seventy-eight feet 
high ; and standing in such a place, one can 
easily transport himself hack to other days, can 
call up the olden times when abbots ruled and 
monks sang beneath this immense roof. The 
furniture of this cathedral is very rich and 
elegant. The pulpit is of stone, wondrously 
carved ; the Episcopal throne is composed of 
relics from the Abbey of St. Werburgh, the 
pious daughter of Queen Ermenilde, and which 
are said by the Papal authorities to have per- 
formed astonishing miracles ; and all the various 
objects of interest are very attractive to the 
stranger. 

Walter had never seen a cathedral before, 
and his admiration was unbounded. He stood 
looking upon the huge arches, or walked through 
the transept, or gazed into the cloisters with 
solemn awe, while Minnie was nervous and im- 
patient to be gone. 

" Come, Walter," said his father ; " we must 
€0." 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 97 

" 0, I could stay here a whole day. I never 
saw any thing so grand as this rich tracery and 
these beautiful canopies. I would like to stay 
and study out the intricate designs on these 
windows, and decipher the characters on the 
tombs." 

" But we have not time for that ; unless we 
go now, we shall be obliged to leave some other 
interesting place unvisited." 

As they passed out, Mr. Percy dropped into 
the hands of the old sexton a piece of money, 
that being the fee expected of those for whom 
he opened the doors. They then repaired to 
St. John's Church, in a most superb location, 
and very ancient in its appearance. It was 
founded by Ethelrcd in 689, in response to a 
vision which he had, in which God told him to 
build a church on the spot where, in the first 
hunt, he should take a white hind. He was not 
disobedient to what he considered a heavenly 
communication, and this spot was selected as 
the result, and the church erected, and conse- 
crated to St. John the Baptist. In 1057 the 
edifice was repaired, and strengthened, and 
made more beautiful. In 1468 the steeple, a 
huge tower, fell down of its own weight, com- 
ing through the building to the earth. It was 
rebuilt, and again in 1572 it came crashing 
vol. i. 7 



98 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

down, and was reerected on the west end of the 
nave, and stands there to this day, one hundred 
and fifty feet high. The hands that reared this 
noble pile were long ago palsied in death, and 
moulded to dust, but their work endures. The 
main part of the church still stands, but in so 
dilapidated a condition that the bells in the 
tower are seldom, if ever, rung, lest the jar 
should bring the whole structure down in one 
promiscuous ruin. The stones which compose 
the edifice have been rounded at the edges by 
time, like those in the cathedral, so that they 
will hardly hold together. And yet wonderful 
art is seen in this old edifice and the adjoining 
ruins ; lofty arches, noble pillars, well-turned 
windows, letting in the " dim religious light," 
and the steeple towering towards the skies, im- 
press the mind of the beholder with veneration 
and awe. 

On the west side of the tower is a niche, in 
which stands a statue of Ethelred, petting the 
" white hind " which he saw in his vision. 
When the tower fell, this statue was uninjured, 
and now is an object of much interest. 

" Do you suppose that God came to Ethelred 
in a dream, father ? " asked Minnie. 

"No, my child ; he might have had such a 
dream, but God does not now communicate with 
men in that wav." 



A WALK ON CHESTER WALLS. 99 

" And do not the people, by keeping this 
statue here, show that they believe the sto- 
ry ? " 

" No ; for the inhabitants of Chester are very 
intelligent, and they only wish to perpetuate 
what they believe to be a mere fancy of the 
king." 

The party left the church, it being near time 
for the cars to start. They walked to the sta- 
tion house, which is a very fine edifice, where 
Walter found the cloaks and umbrellas of the 
party, which he had left at the " Left Baggage 
Office." Connected with this station, and with 
almost all on the English railroads, there is a 
deposit office, where articles may be left until 
called for. On payment of a penny or two, the 
article is taken, and a check given for it, and 
the office is responsible for any loss. This is a 
great convenience for the stranger who wishes to 
stop in a town a few hours, but does not wish to 
go to a hotel. 

In the " Refreshment Room " of this depot, 
Walter found a long table covered with writing 
materials — pens, ink, and paper; and having 
purchased some views of Chester on letter 
sheets, he sat down to record the events of the 
day, and we will open the book and read what 
he sajs. 



100 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Chester, April, 1858. 

A visit to Chester is worth a voyage across 
the ocean ; and the day I spent there will 
long be remembered. The old wall, and the 
churches, God's Providence House, and the 
funny old streets, have been daguerrotyped 
upon my memory ; and if this was the only 
place we had to visit, it would be worth the 
voyage. I do not like to leave the place ; its 
memories crowd upon me, and call after me, 
and I would like to stay long amid these old 
scenes, the glory of which is in some degree 
gone. 

" But many a relic still is left 
To shadow forth the past." 

" Cars coming, Walter," interrupted the writ- 
ing, and soon the whole party were settled back 
in one of those luxurious, first-class English 
cars, where a man can sleep at night almost as 
well as he can on his quiet bed at home. The 
door was locked, the train began to move, the 
old towers of Chester faded away, and soon the 
mountains of North Wales appeared in view. 



RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. 101 



Chapter V. 

RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. 

" TtT^ nave J ust crosse d tne nne mto Wales," 
» » said Mr. Tenant, as the train rolled on. 

" How large is Wales, Mr. Tenant ? " asked 
Walter. 

" About as large as New Jersey." 

" How do the Welsh people differ from the 
English ? " 

" In several respects. The language differs, 
the habits and customs of the people differ, and 
one would hardly suppose he was so near the 
great heart of England, while journeying in 
Wales. The Welsh are the descendants of the 
ancient Britons, and their language has Celtic 
peculiarities." 

" The oldest son of Queen Victoria is called 
the Prince of Wales. I have often wondered 
why — can you tell me ? " 

"0, yes, I can ; and the story is a short one. 
In 1'27G, Edward I. became involved in a war 
with Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, and finally, 
having conquered the Welsh people, annexed the 



102 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

territory to his crown, and made his oldest son 
Prince of Wales. This son was born in Caer- 
narvon Castle, and afterwards became King of 
England. And ever since then, the oldest son 
of the English sovereign has held the title of 
' Prince of Wales,' and the distinction is little 
more than nominal." 

" Suppose the sovereign of England has no 
son — what then ? " 

" The oldest daughter is created Princess of 
Wales." 

" I have heard that Wales was a hilly coun- 
try." 

" Very hilly, as you will see as we go on. It 
has some very high mountains, among which is 
Mount Snowdon, which is three thousand five 
hundred and seventy-one feet high." 

" Is not Wales well supplied with old castles ? " 

" It has some, and we shall see a few of them 
as we go on, if the night does not set in." 

Thus conversing, they rode on through a very 
fine and picturesque country, by many very 
pleasant looking towns, and within sight of many 
old castles. Walter made acquaintance with 
an old gentleman who had come into the car, 
and of him he gained much reliable informa- 
tion as they progressed. " Did you ever hear 
of Christmas Evans ? " asked Walter. 



RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. 103 

" 0, yes, my lad." 

" Did you ever hear him preach ? " 

" Many a time." 

" Was he as eloquent as the few extracts of his 
discourses which I have seen would indicate ? " 

" He was a very eloquent man, and lived 
about ten miles from the place where we now 
are, and his memory is much cherished by the 
Welsh people, among whom he lived and la- 
bored." 

Minnie called the attention of Walter to the 
fact that the farther they went, the poorer the 
people seemed to be. The cottages along the 
way had very poor walls, and simple thatched 
roofs, and in the fields women by scores were at 
work. 

The party arrived at Menai Straits just as the 
dark mantles of night were falling on the earth. 
These straits separate Wales from the Island of 
Anglesea, and are spanned by two bridges of 
much note. The Suspension Bridge was the 
first of the kind built in Europe ; six years were 
required for its construction, and its total cost 
was about one million dollars. 

" How does this Suspension Bridge compare 
with that over Niagara River, below the Falls ? " 
asked Walter of his father. 

" That cost only four hundred thousand dol- 
lars." 



104 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

»o>8>4oo 

" Did the same architect design them both ? " 

" No, the Niagara Bridge was designed and 
constructed by Mr. Roebling, an American, and 
this by Mr. Telford." 

Over the Menai Straits is also thrown the fa- 
mous Britannia Tubular Bridge, one of the won- 
ders of the world ; and the cars dashed into its 
hollow passage, and emerging on the other side, 
stopped to give the passengers time to go back 
and see it. 

" What is the Tubular Bridge, father ? " asked 
Minnie. 

" It is an iron tube, stretched across the straits, 
for the cars to go through." 

" An iron bridge ? " 

" Yes, it is constructed of plates of iron, about 
half an inch thick, and two or three feet square." 

" How are they put together ? " 

" They are heavily and closely riveted togeth- 
er, making a square tube, wide enough for two 
tracks, on which two trains can meet, and high 
enough for the smoke pipe of the locomotive. 
Strong iron knees and braces add to the strength 
of the structure." 

" Does not the bridge sag some ? " 

" No, when the most heavy-laden freight train 
rolls over it, it is not even seen to vibrate." 

" How long is the bridge ? " 



RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. 107 

" I do not know the whole length of the bridge, 
but the tube is about three hundred feet, and is 
about one hundred feet above the water, and 
rests on two substantial piers." 

" How did they manage to get it up into its 
place ? " 

" By some hydraulic process, I believe." 

They had now reached the bridge, and found 
it to be indeed a most remarkable structure — 
an iron tube, of plates riveted in three thick- 
nesses to appear as one, yet to have the strength 
of three, resting on its piers as firmly as if the 
span was but a dozen yards. 

" And where are we now ? " asked Walter. 

" We are on the Island of Anglesea." 

" Is that island a part of Wales ? " 

" It forms one county of Wales." 

" How large is it ? " 

" I think it is about twenty-four miles long, 
and seventeen broad, and has a population of 
about thirty-seven thousand souls." 

" And how wide is this strait ? " 

" About half a mile, I should judge." 

Having seen the tube, and finding the night 
so dark that little else could be distinguished, 
they entered the cars, where the conversation 
about bridges was resumed. 

"I remember seeing it stated," remarked 



108 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Mr. Tenant, " that over the River Rhone, near 
Avignon, in South France, the seat of the popes 
when they were banished from Rome, and where 
their old palace, used for a prison, still stands, 
there is the Bridge of the ' Holy Spirit,' — the 
somewhat inappropriate and singular title of one 
of the longest stone bridges in the world, — built 
six hundred years ago, the first bridge ever 
thrown across the Rhone. It has twenty-six 
arches, and is the noblest structure of its kind 
in France. It was built by a religious society 
called " The Brethren of the Bridge," and their 
object was the protection of travellers from the 
banditti, who, acting as ferrymen, robbed their 
victims, and threw them into the river." 

" Do you know," asked Walter, " which the 
oldest bridge in England is ? " 

" That at Croyland, in Lincolnshire, is the 
oldest." 

" When was it built ? " 

" In the year 860 ; and none but foot passen- 
gers go over it." 

" Which is the longest bridge ': " asked Minnie. 

" The longest in England ? " 

" Yes, sir," 

" That over the Trent, at Staffordshire, which 
is built of freestone." 

" How long is that ? " 



RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. 109 

" It is fifteen hundred and forty-five feet long, 
lias thirty-four arches, and was built in the 
twelfth century." 

"How long is the famous London Bridge, of 
which we havj heard so much ? " 

44 Only nine hundred and ninety-five feet 
long. 

" You will see," added he, " when you get 
to London, some of the finest bridges in the 
world. Those which cross the Thames are very 
finely built, and you will admire them." 

The ride from Chester had been so pleasant, 
and the time passed away so quickly, that Walter 
was sorry when he arrived at Holyhead, where the 
party were to take steamer for Dublin. Though 
it was late at night, it was resolved to go on, as 
a steamer would start in an hour or two. They 
left the cars, and were standing in the station 
house, when a voice was heard : — 

" Supper all ready ! hot, hot supper." 

It is strange what a voracious appetite is 
given one by travelling ; and though Minnie had 
taken an ample collation a little while before, she 
now declared she was " hungry as a bear." 
A.nd Walter said that there was " not food 
enough in town for him" — a specimen of ex- 
travagant speaking, on the part of each, which 
sounds very foolish in people, young or old. 



110 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The party stumbled through darkness and 
obstacles into a very comfortable restaurant, 
where they found all the accommodations for 
supper, which was relished by all. As they sat 
at the table, Mr. Percy asked his daughter, — 

" What do you think mamma is doing at 
home, Minnie ? " 

" Why, she is sound asleep, of course." 

" What do you think, Walter ? " 

" I suppose she is taking tea, and thinking 
of us." 

" Taking tea at this time of night ! That 
would be funny ! " cried Minnie. " She is asleep, 
for it is nearly midnight." 

" Do you not remember what we talked about 
the other day, when you thought your watch 
was not a good one ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" 0, yes, yes, I forgot ; well, let me see ; it is 
just about seven o'clock in Boston." 

" Suppose, Minnie, you could send a tele- 
gram to your mother," said Mr. Tenant ; " what 
time would she get it ? " 

" I think, if the ocean telegraph was laid, she 
would get our message as soon as it started." 

" She would get it some hours before it 
started," said Walter. 

" Worse and worse, Walter," replied Minnie ; 
" by and by you will begin to argue that 



RIDE THROUGH NORTH WALES. Ill 

we shall get home before we started to come 
out." 

"I see, sis, that you need light." 

" All I get from you is darkness on this sub- 
ject. Do sit down some time and explain, for 
when I meet some one who does not know so 
much as I do, I wish to appear wise, as my 
learned brother does," was the sarcastic reply. 

Walter would have replied, but his father 
checked him with a kind word, which changed 
the subject of conversation, and the supper ended 
without any more sharp shooting between the 
young people. 

Mr. Percy and Mr. Tenant went out to see if 
they could form any idea of the place they were 
in, but came back to the children without know- 
ing whether the town was large or small, for the 
night was dark, and a drizzly rain and dense 
fog had set in, and no discoveries could be made. 



112 THE PERCY FAMILY 



Chapter VI. 

CROSSING THE CHANNEL. 

" OTEAMER ready ! all aboard ! " called our 
^ friends from the shelter of the friendly 
restaurant ; and they were soon on board a mis- 
erable steamboat, used for conveying freight and 
cattle across the Channel. The regular steamer 
had gone some hours before the arrival of the 
late train. A glance was sufficient to assure Mr. 
Percy that the comforts of that night were few, 
and that the crossing would be tedious. 

The whole party stood a few moments on deck, 
debating as to the best plans for securing a 
night's rest ; and as the ponderous wheels began 
to move, they went below. Here they were in- 
formed that no berths were provided, but the 
settees could be used for sleeping purposes. 
Mr. Percy at once collected two or three cush- 
ions, and made a comfortable bed for Minnie, 
who, wrapping her travelling dress close about 
her, lay down to sleep. A place was next 
found for Walter, who had his carpet bag for a 
pillow, and his father's heavy coat as a coverlet. 



CROSSING THE CHANNEL. 113 

Two or three men were already stowed away in 
the cabin, and Mr. Tenant took a settee, one 
end of which was already occupied, and Mr. 
Percy found a comfortable sofa, on which he 
cast himself. But they were destined to have 
but little sleep. One of the passengers was an 
old English officer, who, after our friends were 
well settled, went into the particulars of a story 
which he was relating when broken in upon by 
Mr. Percy and his party. The story related to 
the wonderful escapes and the dreadful dangers 
of his military life. The fountain from which 
he drew his facts seemed to be exhaustless ; 
one thing led into another, and his tale of mili- 
tary wonders, which would have astonished Na- 
poleon or Wellington, seemed interminable. 
He had been in the Crimea, and was present 
when General McMahon planted the French 
flag on the very summit of the Malakhoff, 
while the dying and the dead lay in heaps all 
around. At one time he was wounded on the 
field, and left for dead ; at another time he 
was surrounded with foes, and, with the valor 
of desperation, cut his way through, and es- 
caped ; at another time he led a line of soldiers 
against overwhelming numbers, and came off 
victorious. The more the old man talked, the 
VOL. i. 8 



114 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

more enthusiastic he became, until the patience 
of Mr. Tenant was exhausted. 

" Look here, my friend," he cried, at length ; 
" did they sleep any in the Crimea ? " 

" 0, yes, we slept, but had sentinels out." 

" Well, if you talked as much there as now, 
I do not see how any body got any sleep." 

" I profess to be a gentleman, and know when 
to speak and when to stop." 

" I should judge you to be a volcano of words; 
and if you have any mercy upon us poor fel- 
lows, who have been travelling all day, do stop, 
and let us get some sleep." 

And then he added, " I do not mean to be 
rude, sir, but really we would like to go to 
sleep." 

The old man drew his head down into his 
shaggy coat, and said no more ; and soon the 
whole company gave evidence of being in pro- 
found slumber. Walter found it to be a tedious, 
restless night. His hard couch did not do much 
to rest his weary limbs, and he awoke again and 
again from a disturbed and unrefreshing sleep, 
with troublous and exciting dreams. At one 
time he dreamed that he was at home, and his 
father was away in Europe, and news came of 
his death, wringing with sorrow the heart of his 



CROSSING THE CHANNEL. 115 

mother. Again he dreamed he was on the 
ocean, and the vessel came in collision with a 
dreadful iceberg, and was dashed to pieces, and 
through a long, dark night, and a cold and 
dreary day, he floated on a huge lump of ice, 
that crumbled with every wave that dashed 
against it. 

At length the whole company were startled 
with a terrible shriek from one of the sleepers, 
who, oppressed with nightmare, raised a terrific 
yell, that brought every man to his feet. The 
attitude of the company was somewhat ludi- 
crous. A dim light shone in the cabin, and half 
a dozen persons, some with their coats thrown 
off, others with handkerchiefs bound around 
their heads, stood looking at each other, ;*.nd say- 
ing, " What is it ? " 

" Father, father, is the steamer sinking c i " cried 
Minnie. 

" That is too bad ! " was the exclamation of 
Mr. Tenant. 

" Haw, haw, haw," laughed the old soldier. 

" Come, friend Tenant, no more sleep." said 
Mr. Percy. 

All this time the unconscious cause of this 
commotion was lying on the bench, breathing 
hard, but unmindful of the scene before him. 
Walter, when he found there was no trovhte, 



116 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

lay down again, and tried to sleep, but found tbe 
tbing impossible ; and soon after, seeing his 
father go out of the cabin, he followed him on 
deck. The morning was just appearing in the 
east ; several large vessels were in sight, the 
royal mail steamer was just then going by, and 
in the distance the long, dark coast of hazy Ire- 
land could be seen. The morning was very fine ; 
the Channel, which is usually rough and boister- 
ous, was placid and smooth ; and the view around 
was charmingly beautiful. Soon Kingston was 
in view, a town named in honor of George IV., 
formerly called Ihmleary. It has a most excel- 
lent harbor, designed to afford a refuge for ves- 
sels in distress, and is a few miles from the city 
of Dublin. It occupies a very fine position, and 
around it are several interesting ruins. The old 
castle of Monktown, shattered by the assaults of 
time and war, is near at hand. The remains of 
Castle Bullock are close to the pier, and are 
visited by every one who lands at Kingston. 
The three castles of Dalkey, erected long ago 
for the defence of the coast, are situated at a 
little distance away, and the traveller from an- 
other land will find no want of objects of inter- 
est even on this rocky promontory of the Irish 
coast. A railroad is stretched from Kingston to 
Dublin, and the whole distance is lined with 



CROSSING THE CHANNEL. 117 

pretty villas, thatched cottages, and the various 
indications of Irish life. 

Slowly sweeping by Kingston, the steamer rode 
into Dublin Bay, a beautiful sheet of water, into 
which the world-famed LifFey pours its tum- 
bling waves. The emotions of Walter were pe- 
culiar as he saw the monuments, steeples, and 
towers of Dublin in view. He had seen the 
Irish people as they exist in America, and had 
judged very wrongly of the Irish nation by these 
specimens, and was hardly prepared to see the 
capital of Ireland rising out of the waves, and 
crowning the shore as beautifully and gayly as his 
own Boston rises out of the Atlantic, and crowns 
the bay of Massachusetts. 

" 0, how beautiful ! " was his delighted ex- 
clamation, as he stood on the steamer's deck, 
and the successive scenes of interest passed be- 
fore him : and as the morning sun shone upon 
the city of O'Connell and the great men of 
whom he had read, he fairly clapped his hands 
for joy. 

" father," he cried, " I shall like Ireland ; I 
know I shall." 

" What makes you think so, my son ? " 

" Why, the hills look so green, and the sun 
looks so bright, and the morning seems to dawn 
so beautifully, that I know I shall like it." 



118 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" I suppose you will like it, because you will 
see old castles and ruins," said Minnie, " I 
thought so when I heard father telling you of 
those old castles out there on the headland — 
Monkey, Bullock, and Duckey castles I believe 
he called them. As for rne, I shall keep my 
likes until 1 get to Paris or Brussels." 

" Every one to his taste," said Walter, his face 
kindling with new enthusiasm, as the steamer 
came near the city, and the public buildings be- 
came more distinct. 

Soon the vessel touched the pier, and the 
whole company, with their carpet bags and bag- 
gage, leaped on shore, and stood on the soil of 
Dublin. 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 11§ 



Chapter VII. 

THE IRISH CAPITAL. 

" \/\7^k^' they have ' dumped ' us down in 

» f Dublin, as the natives would say," said 
Mr. Tenant. 

" Certainly they have ; and where shall we 
go now ? " 

" Have you any hotel on your memorandum, 
Walter ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" Yes, sir, I have the name of the Imperial, 
that some one has given me as an excellent 
house." 

Several men, who had been standing about, 
now appeared, and their purposes were evident 
at once. 

" Have a cab, sir ? " asked one. 

" Do you wish for a hotel ? " asked another. 

" Shall I carry your bags ? " inquired a third. 

" This way, this way ; I will show you to the 
best hotel," cried a fourth. 

" Stop, friends, stop ; which hotel is the best 
one ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" The Bilton," cried one. 



120 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" The Imperial," cried another. 

" Reynolds," shouted a third. 

" Prince of Wales," cried a fourth. 

And one clutched the baggage, crying, " 1 
drive to Bilton's ; " and another laid hold of 
the children, saying, " Get in, get in ; I drive 
to Gresham." Walter laughed ; Minnie was 
afraid ; Mr. Tenant, with a smile, said, " Friend 
Percy, make up your mind, and decide quickly." 
Mr. Percy, breaking from the crowd which by 
this time had gathered around, called a modest- 
looking young man, who stood with his cab at a 
little distance, and said to him, " Drive us to 
the Imperial." 

The hungry crowd at once fell back, and the 
young man, who had lost nothing by his mod- 
esty, gathered up the baggage, and assisting his 
passengers into his vehicle, cracked his whip, 
and they drove rapidly up into the city. Turn- 
ing into the beautiful Sackville Street, and pass- 
ing several fine edifices, the carriage drew up 
before the door of a comfortable-looking, quiet 
hotel. At once several porters ran out, and 
seized the baggage, and led the travellers in. 

They were seated in a comfortable parlor for 
a few minutes, when Mr. Percy was called to 
select his apartments. He found a suit of 
high-posted, lofty rooms, all of them somewhat 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 121 

gloomy, but very clean and airy, and at once 
engaged them at a very moderate sum. 

Breakfast was ordered, and while it was being 
prepared, the party attended to toilet duties, 
and in arranging their apartments, so as to 
make themselves comfortable during their stay. 
As the time they were to remain in Dublin 
was quite limited, every moment was to be im- 
proved ; and no sooner was breakfast finished 
than the day's work commenced. The land- 
lord, at the request of Mr. Percy, sent for a 
j anting car, in which they were to ride through 
the city. 

With this janting car the children were much 
pleased. It was a vehicle altogether unlike 
any they had ever seen. It was a two-wheel 
carriage, something like an old-fashioned baker's 
cart, with seats on each side for two persons, 
and one in front for the driver. These seats 
are back to back, and the persons occupying 
them sit with their side to the driver, looking 
outward. Constructed in a light, easy style, it 
becomes at once a very useful, convenient, and 
graceful carriage to ride in. One can mount 
and dismount with perfect ease, and our travel- 
lers were charmed with it. In all the places in 
Ireland visited by them, they found it used by 
all classes, the high and low, rich and poor. 



122 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Gay ladies and noblemen were seen dashing 
about from place to place, dresses fluttering in 
the breeze, and the light, fantastic vehicles 
rolling over the ground with the greatest ve- 
locity. 

Walter wondered why such carriages were not 
used in the suburbs of Boston ; he thought they 
would be admirable on the macadamized roads 
in the vicinity of the metropolis for short pleas- 
ure tours. 

The hotel from which they started was on 
Sackville Street. This street is one of the most 
beautiful thoroughfares in the world, and the 
Dublin people think no other city can present its 
equal. Long, straight, and wide, it has many 
beautiful edifices, and is always thronged by the 
business men of the place. Several of the finest 
hotels, the General Post Office, and a number of 
noted public buildings rear their huge fronts on 
this street. 

About midway between Rutland Square and 
the River Liffey, in this street, stands the Nel- 
son Pillar, a fine Doric column one hundred 
and thirty feet high, surmounted by a life-look- 
ing statue of that naval hero. There stands 
Nelson, in his dead eloquence, looking down 
upon the thousands of people who surge along 
below, reminding the beholder of one of the 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 123 

bravest men, and one of the most revered of all 
the naval heroes of Great Britain. 

The top of this pillar is reached by a winding 
staircase, which is ascended in the dark, the 
poor traveller striking his head against the 
stony sides of the pillar at almost every step. 

The view of the city from this monument is 
\<iiy fine, the streets, houses, and public build- 
ings, not crowded and confused, like those of 
London, but regular and orderly, lying like a 
map before the eye. The old cathedral, Christ's 
church, the towering monument to Wellington, 
the custom house, from the dome of which 
Queen Victoria looks down in her state dress, 
are all full in view. The winding course of the 
Liffey, spanned by its fine bridges, can be traced 
for miles. The people on the pavements below 
look like pygmies dwindling away, and the whole 
view of the city, stretching out in all directions, 
is admirable. 

In the janting car, the party rode out of Sack- 
ville Street to explore the city. The people 
looked after them, as they were easily recog- 
nized as strangers. On they drove to the Bank 
of Ireland, a very noble structure, which faces 
College Green. In the days of Ireland's glory, 
ere the power of England had taken away Irish 
nationality, the buildings now used by the Bank 



124: THE PERCY FAMILY. 

were the Houses of Parliament. The old hall 
of the Commons is now the magnificent banking 
room ; and instead of Irish orators and states- 
men discussing the duties and perils of the 
nation, bankers and merchants, tradesmen and 
artisans, meet here to negotiate loans and trans- 
act business of a monetary' character. 

The House of Lords remains much the same 
as when the peers left it. The ancient chair. , 
the long table, and the various fixtures of such 
a room, are all here, as in the days of Irish 
power, and the room is used only once or twice 
a year, at the meetings of the bank directors. 
Where once the throne stood now stands a 
statue of an English king, and the power which 
of old held empire here is dead, and the elo- 
quence which once thrilled the souls of listening 
multitudes has departed forever. 

The building covers an area of two and a half 
acres, and is one of the finest banking houses in 
the world, far more imposing in its external as- 
pects than the Bank of England. The centre 
of the edifice in front consists of a grand col- 
onnade, formed of lofty Ionic columns, which 
rest on noble steps, forming a noble entrance 
to the building. Over the high doorways are 
statues of Hibernia, attended by her handmaids 
Fidelity and Commerce. The whole edifice is a 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 125 

monument of art worthy of any city. The lofty 
Ionic columns, the massive walls, the gorgeous 
porticoes, the statues, and emblematic designs, 
add to the perfecthess of the whole, and give a 
richness and nobility to the structure which 
to be appreciated must be seen. 

By the kindness of an official connected with 
the bank, the party were allowed to go through 
the building, inspect the private rooms, look 
into the vaults, and become familiar with the 
mode of transacting business, which to Walter 
was quite a novelty. 

The next visit was to the celebrated Trinity 
College, founded by Queen Elizabeth nearly 
three hundred years ago, on the site of an old 
monastery. As they drove up, Walter asked if 
the buildings about to be inspected would equal 
the buildings of old Harvard. 

" We will see," said Mr. Percy, who had 
some idea of the college, and knew its high 
rank. 

They found the buildings to consist of three 
quadrangles, and covering an area of some 
twenty or thirty acres. The front, facing Col- 
lege Green, is three hundred and eight feet long, 
elaborately finished in the highest style of Corin- 
thian taste. A servant conducted the party into 
the theatre, or exhibition room, hung with por- 



126 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

traits of noble personages, and embellished with 
monuments to the illustrious dead ; into the 
chapel, a noble building, itself a magnificent 
church ; into the library, which is a building 
two hundred and seventy feet long, having sev- 
eral apartments, and over one hundred thousand 
volumes ; into the manuscript room, where are 
large collections of valuable manuscripts ; into 
the refectory, where is a dining hall larger than 
many churches, the walls hung with portraits of 
Ireland's noblest men ; into the provost's house, 
a miniature palace, and into many other build- 
ings belonging to the cluster. 

In the main square there is an elegant bell 
tower ninety-two feet high, which presents to 
the eye a grand appearance. Walter inquired 
of the porter how many students were connected 
with the college, and was told that the number 
at that time was about seventeen hundred. He 
gave a low whistle, expressive of his surprise, 
and as they went out of the gate, leaving the 
porter's face all covered with smiles, Mr. Percy 
having put into his hands a crown, the lad 
turned to his father, and said, — 

" All this in Ireland ! " 

" Yes, Walter, and much more, as you will 
see when we drive about the city, which will 
make you go away with better ideas of Ireland 
than you ever had before." 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 127 

oo'i^Oo 

Minnie was pleased with the students whom 
she saw. " What nice young men they are, 
father!" she said ; " see how they touch their 
caps to us as they pass." 

One of the young men, passing at the moment, 
and catching the merry twinkle of her eye, 
turned somewhat abruptly, and said, " You like 
the college ; do you ? " 

" 0, very much." 

" And would you like a little sketch of it to 
carry home to your friends in America ? " 

" 0, very much indeed ; but how did you know 
we were Americans ? " 

" Because your accent told me so ; and the 
gentlemen, who, I see, are going on without you, 
look like Americans. Here is the sketch which 
I have just taken ; it will be a pleasure for me 
to give it you." 

" You are very kind ; thank you, thank you 
very much ; but please tell me who I shall say 
gave it ? " 

" That is another thing, my child ; but you 
may call me student O'Donnell," and laughing, 
bade her " good by." 

Minnie ran on looking at her picture, which 
was a very well taken sketch of the college, the 
green, and the bank in one view, with the noble 
equestrian statue of William III. in the fore- 
ground. 



128 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Another place visited by the party was the 
Castle, near the centre of the city. This pile of 
buildings disappointed Walter very much. He 
had heard of Dublin Castle, and had pictured 
to his mind a rough tower, on a ledge of rocks, 
bristling with cannon and waving with flags. 
But he found only a cluster of buildings in the 
heart of the city, now occupied as the town resi- 
dences of the lord lieutenant and the officers 
of state, and seeming to be a general metropoli- 
tan police station. His father, however, gave 
him some historical facts in relation to the 
Castle which interested him very much, told him 
that it was founded by King John in 1206, and 
described the various scenes of which it had 
been the centre, in the troublous times which 
Ireland has seen since then. 

The party also went to the Cathedral of St. 
Patrick. There are two cathedrals in Dublin, 
and one of them stands on the site of a church 
once occupied by the patron saint of Ireland him- 
self, and is a very fine old edifice, three hundred 
feet long, surmounted by a noble tower and 
spire two hundred and twenty-one feet high. 
This old cathedral made a decided impression 
on the mind of Walter. It seemed as if he 
would never tire of gazing on the grand ceil- 
ings, the well-turned arches, the beautiful ar- 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 129 

cades formed by them, and the stalls for the 
ecclesiastical dignitaries on days of worship. 

" What are these banners for ? " asked Minnie 
of her father, on observing a large number of 
flags hung in the nave and choir. 

" These," said her father, " are the banners 
of the dead and living knights of the order of St. 
Patrick, a very illustrious organization which 
exists in Ireland." 

A few questions brought out all Mr. Percy 
knew of the knights of St. Patrick, and Walter 
concluded he had obtained a thread which would 
take him back into the mysteries of the past. 
Several fine monuments and memorial slabs are 
found in this cathedral. 

" Here," said Mr. Percy, " is the monument 
of Dean Swift." 

" I have often read of Dean Swift," said Wal- 
ter ; " who was he ? " 

" He was an ecclesiastic, who was born in the 
county of Tipperary about the year 1667. He 
was a noted wit, a man of eminent abilities, but 
entirely unfit for the clerical office. His first 
name was Jonathan." 

" I thought it was Dean." 

" No, i Dean ' was his religious, or ecclesiasti- 
cal title. He was dean of this cathedral. He 
wished very much to have an English bishopric, 
vol. I. 9 



130 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

and Queen Anne was about to give him one, but 
some unfortunate articles written by him, one 
known as the ' Tale of a Tub,' a piece of hu- 
mor indecorous and unbecoming a divine, were 
urged against him, and he never secured the 
coveted honor. He was bitter in his attacks 
Upon other writers, among whom was his rela- 
tive, the excellent Dryden, against whom he 
aimed some of the most pointed of his satires. 
But here is the tablet of Hester Johnson." 

" Who was she ? " 

" If you will read the writings of Dean Swift, 
when you return to America, you will find ref- 
erences to ' Stella.' She was a lady of great 
excellence, who was privately united in mar- 
riage to the dean, but the marriage was never 
publicly recognized. She died of a broken 
heart." 

While they were looking at these and other 
monuments, reading the inscriptions on them, 
a strain of beautiful music fell on their ears — 
a strain of music swelling louder, and deeper, 
and heavier, filling the whole cathedral with the 
rich, mellow, varied sounds. All turned to 
where the noble organ stood, from which the 
unseen player was producing such exquisite 
melody. 

" This organ," said a bystander to them, " is 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 131 

one of the purest, sweetest-toned instruments in 
the whole kingdom." 

They listened a while, and then took a look 
down into St. Patrick's well, a deep, dark well 
under the church. From this well, it is said, 
St. Patrick drew the water which he applied to 
the first Irish convert ; and, as such, is regarded 
with veneration by the people, and interest by all 
strangers. As the party left the church, the fine 
chime of eight bells in the tower, were playing 
an old familiar tune, which reminded them of 
" Home, sweet Home." 

They next rode to Christ's Church Cathedral, 
a plain edifice, of less interest than the other. 
The church is hung with banners, ornamented, 
or disfigured, as one's own taste may decide, 
with monuments of the dead ; on the gallery 
are carved the arms of all the viceroys of Ire- 
land, and all about are evidences of the olden 
times, when were blended with religion, the 
strifes of politics, and the clamors of war. 
The church is in sad decay, and broken but- 
tresses, and disfigured walls, meet the eye in 
every direction. 

" And now, children, what else have you for 
us to see ? " asked Mr. Percy, as they drove 
away from the cathedral. 

" To the barracks," said Walter. 



132 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" What are the barracks ? " asked Minnie. 

" They are the houses where the soldiers live, 
sis. Do you want to see them ? " 

" 0, yes, any thing is better than these churches 
that are all ready to tumble down on our heads. 
Heigh-ho for the red coats ! " 

They were soon at the barracks of the in- 
fantry, and, after some little trouble, were al- 
lowed to enter the square. Here they found the 
regiment practising some drill exercises, in full 
uniform. The evolutions were so finely gone 
through, the music was so exhilarating, the red 
coats of the soldiers, and the shining arms, made 
so brilliant a display, that the whole party felt 
richly repaid for coming to the place. They 
waited until the drill was finished, and the men 
dismissed to their quarters, and then went into 
the barracks. 

" Are these real soldiers ? " asked Minnie of 
Walter. 

" Certainly." 

" Have they ever been in war ? " 

" I suppose some of them have. They may 
have been at the Crimea." 

" They look finer than our ' play-training-sol- 
diers ' in Boston, who never saw a battle ; don't 
they ? " 

" Yes, sis, these are stout and hearty men, 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 133 

who doubtless are ready to go into battle at any 
time. Our citizen soldiers train for amusement, 
and are not called on except in case of riot." 

" I remember, Walter, that the companies in 
Boston were called out when that slave, poor 
Burns, was carried away." 

They went into some of the rooms where the 
men sleep, into the rooms where they mess, and 
saw the general style of life the soldiers live ; 
and, as they turned away, Walter said, " I should 
not like to be a soldier." 

" Certainly," replied his father, " this mode 
of life must be very disgusting ; full of tempta- 
tions to dissipation, and having little about it to 
exalt, ennoble, or dignify." 

" Do these men have much pay ? " asked 
Minnie. 

"No, my child, not as much per diem as a 
boy in America would have for wheeling in a 
ton of coal. These soldiers have a mere pit- 
tance — a few pence." 

They now turned towards the hotel, as the 
shades of evening were gathering, and they had 
worked hard all day. The evening was spent in 
animated, cheerful conversation, in which the 
children took an active part. At some times Mr. 
Percy would not have allowed them to be so for- 
ward in the utterance of their opinions ; but now, 



134 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

as his object in travelling was, in part, to benefit 
them, they were encouraged to talk freely, and 
express themselves fully in relation to all they 
saw. 

" I do not find here the wretchedness that I 
expected," said Walter. 

" You have formed your opinion of the Irish 
in Ireland from what you see of the Irish in 
America, forgetting that the better class of Irish 
people do not leave home." 

" But I have read such dreadful accounts of 
famine and want, that I expected to see Dublin 
filled with paupers, and to ride through streets 
in which misery would stare out upon us from 
the windows of all the houses." 

" Those accounts are often exaggerated, or 
they may apply to one particular locality, or 
they may be true of one season. Doubtless Ire- 
land has vastly improved within a few years, but 
I think your impressions of the country never 
were strictly correct." 

" I think as hard things have been said about 
our own country," added Mr. Tenant. 

" It can't be, Mr. Tenant," replied Walter. 

" Well, Walter, I can prove what I say. I 
have in my pocket an old paper which I found 
among my baggage to-day, from which I wish to 
read an account." 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 135 

" We will listen with all our ears," said 
Minnie. 

Mr. Tenant took out his paper, and read in a 
full, clear, manly tone, as follows : — 

" Last week a single soup house gave out a 
ton of corn meal, two thousand loaves of bread, 
and fourteen thousand pints of wholesome soup, 
thus supplying daily twenty-five hundred per- 
sons with food. Within gunshot of this soup 
house are more than twenty cellars in which the 
destitute victims of the grog-shop seek refuge 
every night at a penny a head. All colors and 
both sexes turn in promiscuously at nightfall, lie 
down in bunks that rise one above the other 
against the bare walls, and there spend the night 
in utter darkness, the soft side of a pine board 
being their only bed. For two cents extra they 
may have some filthy straw to lie on. Each one 
pays his penny as he enters, and none are ad- 
mitted without it. In the confined atmosphere 
of these vile dungeons the victims of the dram- 
shop doze the night away. How these unhappy 
creatures escape suffocation may be left for 
science to determine. But when morning 
breaks, though it be cold and crisp, with snow a 
foot deep upon the pavement, the keepers of 
these dens throw open the door, and warn the 
miserable congregation that it is time to get up 



136 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

and clear out. Sick and shivering they rise, and 
hungry and unrefreshed they are driven forth 
into the street, there to wander off to the friend- 
ly soup house, or otherwise to pick up, by theft 
or beggary, subsistence for another day, whose 
close will be a repetition of the scenes of the 
preceding one." 

" What part of Ireland was that ? " asked 
Minnie. 

" Where could that be ? " asked Walter ; " cer- 
tainly not here." 

" Can you not guess where it was ? " 

" In Cork ? " said Walter. 

" In London ? " said Minnie. 

" No, it was not in Cork, nor in Dublin, nor 
in London, nor in " 

" Where was it ? " asked the children in one 
breath. 

" It was in the beautiful city of Philadelphia." 

" Impossible, Mr. Tenant, impossible," ex- 
claimed Walter ; " why didn't we get it in 
American papers if it was true ? " 

" That is the way foreign papers talk about 
our country," said Minnie. 

" No, I did not read from a foreign journal. 
You must not lay the blame on an exaggerat- 
ing editor in London or Dublin," replied Mr. 
Tenant. 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 137 

" Do let me take the paper," said Minnie, all 
excited. 

" Please tell me what paper yon read from ? " 
asked Walter. 

" The New York Tribune." 

" Can it be ? " 

" Here it is in black and white, from the pen 
of a Philadelphia correspondent. Now, chil- 
dren, what I wish to say is, that such statements 
are often made in relation to European coun- 
tries, and we think there is a horrible state of 
destitution ; we take the single case, and sup- 
pose the whole land is like it. That is not 
reasonable, and if you had read in the Dublin 
Nation, or the London Standard, a similar ac- 
count of any locality in this country, you 
would have thought the condition of the people 
most pitiable." 

Walter acknowledged the justice of Mr. Ten- 
ant's reasoning, and retired to rest that night 
with a different idea of Ireland and the Irish 
than he had ever had before. Indeed, Mr. Ten- 
ant himself found the city of Dublin to be a 
much cleaner and more tidy and quiet city than 
he had anticipated, and felt that the Irishman 
in the new world might well look back with 
pride and pleasure to the metropolis of his little 
sea-girt isle. 



138 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The next morning the children were up be- 
times, and had ordered breakfast long ere the 
gentlemen were awake ; and when they, some- 
what late, entered the breakfast room, they 
found their morning meal smoking hot upon the 
table. Having despatched that, they called the 
driver of a janting car, and went forth to see 
the objects of interest. During the drive, they 
came to the city residence of the late Daniel 
O'Connell, a plain, substantial-looking structure 
in one of the most fashionable streets. 

" Who was Daniel O'Connell ? " asked Minnie. 

" He was an Irish statesman," answered Mr. 
Percy, " of great eminence, a true lover of his 
country, and a man whose name is respected, 
and whose memory is revered, in every land 
wherever the Irishman wanders." 

" Was he a soldier ? " 

" No, he was a civilian, and led one of the 
great parties that exist in Ireland, and became 
the idol of the whole people." 

The driver of the car, an enthusiastic admirer 
of the departed statesman, had become intensely 
interested in the conversation, and breaking in 
upon Mr. Percy, exclaimed, — 

" And, sure, Ireland will never see his like 
again." 

" Perhaps she will. God always raises up 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 139 

men for emergencies, and if Ireland wants men 
to lead her councils or her armies, she will have 
them." 

The Custom House was an object of interest, 
and Mr. Percy, who was a practical merchant, 
wished to see if the inside of that edifice was 
equal to its exterior ; so they drove in that direc- 
tion, and in a few minutes they were in front of 
this magnificent temple of commerce. 

The Custom House stands on the north bank 
of the Liffey, and is three hundred and seventy- 
five feet long, and more than two hundred feet 
deep, and has four highly-ornamented fronts. 
The river front is finished in Doric order. Huge 
pillars, bold entablature and cornice, statues of 
Neptune and Mercury, Industry and Plenty, alto- 
rilievo emblems, the whole crowned by a noble 
dome, forms at once an object of decided beauty 
and imposing majesty. The other fronts are 
finished in a style of great taste, and the moun- 
tain granite, of which they are composed, pre- 
sents a noble specimen of solid masonry. 

The interior is divided into courts, and various 
offices fill the whole edifice. An immense busi- 
ness is done here, but in a very quiet way, and 
no little admiration was expressed by Mr. Percy 
and his companions of the admirable arrange- 
ments, and the numerous conveniences for de- 



140 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

spatching the business of such a house ; and the 
party rode away, uttering many expressions of 
pleasure. 

The next building visited was the " Four 
Courts," a noble edifice erected for the accom- 
modation of the law and equity courts. It 
stands on the river, and has a front of four 
hundred and fifty feet in length, between Whit- 
worth and Richmond Bridges. The exterior of 
this building is covered with emblematic designs, 
conceived and executed in the best of taste. 
The centre of the building has a Corinthian 
portico, supporting an elaborately carved pedi- 
ment, above which rises a circular lantern, 
which is lighted by large windows. On each 
side of the centre are squares, and in them are 
the law offices. These law offices and court 
rooms are very spacious, and present to the 
mind of the stranger a very favorable idea of 
the people whose taste and genius require these 
magnificent arrangements. Walter, who was 
pleased with every thing he saw, could not help 
contrasting this edifice with many of the court 
houses he had visited at home ; but some infor- 
mation given him in relation to the working of 
the courts, the amount of business centred 
here, while, in our own country, the law busi- 
ness is diffused, being transacted very largely in 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 141 

the shire towns of the various counties, led him 
to see that, though we have few buildings that, in 
all respects, compare with this, we have, on the 
whole, more and better accommodations for those 
who have the most business to do. 

All day was occupied in seeing the fine build- 
ings, parks, and private houses, and the next 
day was taken up in riding through the city, 
along the river, over the bridges, and through 
the outskirts. The plan was, to go through all 
the best streets first, to see all the aristocratic 
residences, and the houses of the men of wealth 
and fashion. This they did hour after hour ; 
and when they had seen enough, Mr. Percy said 
to the driver, " Now take us through some of 
the worst and most degraded portions of the 
city. We have seen the best parts ; now we 
want to go into the places where your poorest 
people live ; drive through such streets." 

" I will, sir." 

Soon they were rolling along humble, but by 
no means filthy streets, and Walter asked, " Are 
these the worst streets ? " 

" They are the worst I know of." 

'The travellers could hardly believe this, for 
they expected to find something so much worse, 
that they could not put a dark look upon any. 
thing, and the ride terminated without seeing 



142 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

any streets more degraded than many found in 
our own land. 

On returning to the hotel, Mr. Percy said to 
Walter, " My son, the steamer will leave Liver- 
pool at noon to-morrow, and I propose writing to 
your mother, and, if you like, you may do the 
same." 

Walter eagerly embracing the proposal, at once 
sat down, and wrote the following note : — 

Dublin, 1858. 

Dearest Mother : — 

Across the ocean I greet you, and from this 
land of strangers and strange things I send 
home to yon, not only these few poor lines, but 
my whole heart, that yearns for you. One 
thing, one thing only, I want in my journeying 
— the presence of my mother. Minnie and I 
often talk about yon, and every night when we 
kneel down and say our prayers, we breathe 
your name, and Charlie's too. 

I closed my last letter when just arrived at 
Liverpool. We spent some days in Liverpool, 
exploring the wonderful docks, and becoming 
acquainted with the various works of art. Liv- 
erpool is a great city, but a very crowded and 
confused one, and the traveller wishes to get out 
of it as soon as possible ; and we were not sorry 
when the time came foi us to depart. 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 143 

Leaving Liverpool, we crossed over to Ireland, 
stopping, on our way, at the interesting old town 
of Chester, and glancing, in our rapid passage, 
at the scenery of Wales, with its old castles and 
abbeys, and its quaint old towers, and quainter 
people. I admire Ireland, for the whole country 
is so beautiful at this season, that it seems a 
perfect garden, from its deepest valleys to its 
highest mountain peaks. Why the inhabitants 
should want to leave such a land we can 
hardly tell. The large cities of Ireland are very 
fine. Boston cannot be compared, in some im- 
portant respects, with Dublin, and other places 
compare favorably with our best towns. We 
rode, to-day, through the worst and lowest streets 
of Dublin, and found none as bad as North 
Street, in Boston, or the Five Points, in New 
York ; and I shall leave with a better impression 
of Dublin than I ever had before. 

I have talked much with the people, and 
father says I am getting to be very inquisitive ; 
but I would rather incur the odium of being in- 
quisitive, than to go through Ireland without 
getting any information. 

We find all classes here interested in America 
and American institutions. We scarcely meet a 
man who does not have some relative in our 
country. One has a son at New York, another 



144 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

a cousin in Wisconsin, and a third some friend 
in Boston. The people, however, are beginning 
to get the idea that going to America is not 
altogether what it has been represented to be. 
Emigrant agents have made the people of this 
land think that in our country dimes grow on 
bushes, and dollars are as plenty as potatoes. 
But so many have come over, and written home 
discouraging tidings, that others are afraid to 
venture over. 

You would be surprised to know what a trav- 
eller I have become. I believe I could go the 
round of the continent of Europe without any 
one to look out for me ; and I have remembered 
that you have often wished you could have some 
one to go with you to Saratoga or Niagara Falls, 
when father was closely confined by his business. 
Now I shall learn so much about men and 
tilings, see so much of the world, and become so 
familiar with the way of getting along in it, that 
I shall be able to escort you about in the summer 
season, and you will not be obliged to depend on 
the changes in the money market, or be subject 
to the ups and downs of business. 

We are all enjoying ourselves finely ; or 
" hugely," as Mr. Tenant persists in saying ; or 
" beautifully, 1 ' as Minnie expresses it. Father 
will, of course, write you all about us, and tell 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 145 

you all the particulars. Every hour is crowded 
with incidents, and I have already a very large 
journal, which increases in size every day. And 
now Minnie has come, begging the privilege of 
writing on the back side of my sheet ; and you 
know when she sets out to do any thing, there is 
no way of denying her ; so I will close by sub- 
scribing myself, Walter. 

The letter which Minnie wrote will give a 
little insight into her character, and we present 
a few passages from it : — 

Dear Mamma : — 

A thousand blessings your little girl sends 
you, in a letter from this land of promise, where 
we are stopping. How we got here, what we 
are doing, and when we leave, prosy Walter will 
doubtless tell you on the other page. He is the 
scribe (and sometimes I think the Pharisee) of 
our party. He moves about among these old 
tombs, towers, and trumpery with a solemn 
face, and a note book or portfolio in his hand, 
taking sketches, and making notes of what he 
sees and hears, looking gravely at me when I 
laugh at his enthusiasm, and wondering at my 
want of appreciation of gravestones and battle 
fields. 

vol. i. 10 



146 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Well, that brother mine is destined for some- 
thing, and doubtless I am at fault for not being 
able to enter into his ideas, and sympathizing 
with his veneration of rust and dust. Perhaps 
two years — eleven instead of nine — will smooth 
all the wrinkles out of my face, and make me as 
demure a little maiden as ever knit stocking, or 
did crochet work, or pounded a piano. 

You need not wonder at my style of writing, 
for I am changed and grown wild, as Walter 
says. And no wonder that I should be, travel- 
ling with three men, not one of whom feels any 
interest in fashions or frolics, but who study 
bridges, shops, cathedrals, and all those things 
that we ladies feel no special interest in. 

And, to confess the truth, I am homesick ; I 
want to see little Charlie, and my dear mamma, 
and the old friends in Cambridge. Walter acts 
as if he had no thought of home. However, I 
expect to be done with all that feeling when we 
get to London, for Mr. Tenant tells me that 
homesickness, like seasickness, is to be outlived. 

And now the page is full, and I close by send- 
ing you a good-night kiss. You may be sur- 
prised that I have written such a letter, but, to 
tell the truth, Mr. Tenant has been looking over 
my shoulder, telling me what to write — all ex- 
cept the good-night kiss — that was wholly mine. 

Minnie, 



THE IRISH CAPITAL. 147 

" Come, Minnie, it is time for you to retire," 
said Mr. Percy, entering the room. " And you, 
Walter, had better fold your letter and send it 
by the porter to the post office to-night, so that 
it will be in season for the steamer to-morrow, 
for your mother would feel badly not to hear 
from us." 

Walter folded the letter carefully, and directed 
it in a fair, round hand, and ringing the bell for 
a porter, asked him to take it to the post office, 
and have it mailed. The porter did as re- 
quested, and in a few hours the letter was on its 
way across the channel. Who can tell the joy 
it gave to her, who with a mother's patience 
had remained at home, counting the hours until 
again she should see her husband and children J 



148 THE PERCY FAMILY. 



Chapter VIII. 

FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 

" TT7 ALTER, Walter, I thought you were go 
» f iiig to get up and see the sun rise,'' was 
Minnie's salutation, as she rushed into Walter's 
apartment, and stood by his bedside. 

" Is it morning ? " asked AValter, who had 
been thoroughly jaded out the day before, and 
who was not astir as early as usual. 

" Certainly it is morning, or I should not be 
here. Come, — 

< Early to bed, and early to rise, 
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.' " 

" Well, go and arouse father, and order break- 
fast, and I will soon meet you in the breakfast 
room." 

" Well, don't be all day about it ; " and hur- 
rying out of the room, the happy creature was 
heard singing gayly on her way down to the 
porter's office . 

Soon the whole party were assembled in the 
breakfast room, and plans were discussed for 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 149 

the day. Mr. Percy thought they could spend 
the day agreeably and profitably in Dublin, 
while Mr. Tenant thought best to move on at 
once towards the south of Ireland. 

" We had better start to-morrow morning," 
remarked Minnie. 

" To-morrow is Friday, and that is an un- 
lucky day," said Walter. 

" Unlucky day — how silly ! " cried Minnie. 

" What makes you think Friday is an un- 
lucky day, my son ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" I don't know ; but every body says so." 

" Not every body ; superstitious people only 
believe in lucky and unlucky days." 

" Do not more accidents happen on Friday 
than on any other day ? " 

" No, I think not. There is no such thing 
as luck and chance. God rules in the world, 
and his providence superintends all things. 
What men call luck is the working of the great 
plan of Jehovah." 

" But I have heard that the day is a very un- 
fortunate one." 

" Perhaps you have heard so ; and you have 
heard a hundred other foolish things." 

" Friday," added Mr. Tenant, " instead of 
being an unfortunate day, has been a very for- 
tunate one." 



150 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" How so ? " 

" Because some of the most glorious events 
of history have taken place on Friday ; some of 
the most useful discoveries have been made on 
that day." 

" In former times, Walter," said Mr. Percy, 
" there were a great many popular superstitions 
that sensible people now repudiate." 

" Please tell us about them, pa ? " shouted 
Minnie, becoming attentive all at once. 

" I have time now only to refer to some of 
them. It was a common belief, not many years 
ago, that ' seven ' was a charmed number, and 
that the seventh son would always be fortunate, 
and that the seventh day of the seventh month 
would be very fortunate for one born on it ; and 
various other things connected with seven have 
been stated." 

" 0, yes, I remember the seventh son — the 
old doctor that came around a year ago, and 
cured every body that was sick." 

" Professed to be able to cure every body that 
was sick, my child." 

" Yes, that is it ; but have any sensible 
people ever believed that seven was a charmed 
number ? " 

" Yes, many of the wisest of the ancients 
used to believe it, and even Pythagoras, so wise 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 151 

a man, said, in his day, ' Cultivate assiduously 
the science of numbers. Our vices and our 
crimes are only errors of calculation.' Some 
time, children, when we are in the cars, having 
a long ride, I will tell you about a great many 
popular superstitions that once were very prev- 
alent, but now are scouted by intelligent men." 

It was agreed that they should start, during 
the day, for the south of Ireland ; and Walter 
was commissioned to go to the office and settle 
the whole bill for the company, and give notice 
of the intention to leave the hotel. This he 
did, counting out the change, which, being in a 
currency differing from our own, was somewhat 
difficult. 

The party then took a carriage and driver, 
and leaving the rail cars to go tl Hindering 
through the land as fast as they could, turned 
into the Irish highways, travelling very leisurely 
towards the south. All that day they rode on 
through a charming country, stopping now and 
then to converse with the farmers by the road- 
side, or with the women who sat at the doors of 
their thatched cottages, spinning or knitting, 
and at nightfall arrived, after a long ride, at 
Carrick-on-Suir, in the county of Tipperary. 
They found a comfortable inn, where they 
made themselves as happy as possible, and in 



152 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the evening went out among the houses of the 
poorer classes of people, who seemed to be quite 
different from any they had seen in Dublin. 
They found the town to consist of one long 
street, running east and west, with several 
shorter ones diverging from it. Some old ruins 
were seen, a church in a dilapidated condition, 
and many poor, mean houses. 

The next morning, before breakfast, they all 
visited the old ruined castle, and wandered 
through its apartments, and then took a stroll 
along the winding Suir, which they found to be 
a very beautiful river. Such healthy exercise 
gave them a fine appetite for their morning 
meal, to which they sat down in most excellent 
spirits. After breakfast a janting car was se- 
cured for a ride to Cahir Castle, now in a toler- 
able state of preservation, and in which Walter 
became much interested on account of its his- 
torical reminiscences. The Earl of Glengall was 
not at the castle, but a distinguished member of 
his family received the party with true Irish 
hospitality, and pointed out to them all the fine 
views and objects of interest in the vicinity ; 
and it was late in the afternoon ere they reached 
Clonmell, to which place they went on leaving 
Cahir. There they stopped all night, meeting 
with a variety of adventures, which pleased the 
children very much. 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 153 

The inn where they lodged was an old- 
fashioned building, gloomy as one need to see, 
and not as tidy as the one at Carrick ; onr 
friends were subjected to some annoyances which 
they had not suffered before, and they were not 
sorry when the time came to leave. 

As they rode out, Walter asked his father, 
" What is the town of Clonmell noted for ? " 

" For various riotous demonstrations in times 
past, I believe." 

" I think it was the birthplace of Lawrence 
Sterne," added Mr. Tenant. 

" Who was he, Mr. Tenant ? " inquired Min- 
nie. 

" He was a divine who loved good hunting, 
and wrote some noted books, among which was 
Tristram Shandy. His private character did 
not well qualify him for the holy work to which 
he was devoted." 

" And was not Lady Blessington born here ? " 
asked Mr. Percy. 

" I think so," said Mr. Tenant. 

The young people were curious to know who 
Lady Blessington was, and Mr. Tenant gave 
them several interesting particulars in her his- 
tory. 

They reached Cork at night, and about the 
first object that arrested the attention of Walter 



154 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

was the old Shandon steeple, a view of which is 
seen on the next page, and a description of 
which comes hereafter. 

" I'll bet a fig that that steeple has a history 
which Walter will follow np," said Minnie. 

" If it had no history, it would not be an Irish 
steeple," said Mr. Tenant ; " and while we are 
in Cork, we will see what it is." 

They drew np at a fine hotel, where they were 
soon provided with suitable rooms, at a very 
moderate charge. Here they remained several 
days, taking excursions into the country around, 
visiting the notable buildings in the city, and 
conversing with the people, who seemed very 
courteous, and willing to give any information 
in relation to the history of the city." 

" Father," said Walter, " what a funny name 
this city has ! I have been wondering what it 
was derived from. Do you know ? " 

" It is said to be derived from corough^ an 
old Irish word." 

" What does that word corough mean ? " 

" It means a marshy place — a swamp." 

" But Cork does not seem to be a marshy 
place ? " 

" It does not seem so now, but it once was. 
It has been drained, and the land raised, and the 
whole country around has changed." 




SHANDON T.-TEEPLE 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 157 

Mr. Percy then related to his children some 
particulars in the history of the city. He told 
them that " formerly Cork was a very mean city, 
and quoted what Lord Orrery said to Dean 
Swift about it in 1736 : ' The butchers are as 
greasy, the Quakers as formal, and the Presby- 
terians as holy and as full of the Lord, as ever ; 
all things are in statu quo ; even the hogs and 
pigs grunt in the same cadence as of yore, un- 
furnished with variety, and drooping under the 
natural dulness of the place ; materials for a 
letter are as hard to be found as money, sense, 
honesty, or- truth.' The town was very small 
then compared with its present growth. Two 
hundred and fifty years ago it had but one 
street, and poor at that. It bore all the marks 
of an Irish village of the lowest stamp, and 
Camden described it as ' enclosed within a cir- 
cuit of walls in the form of an egg, with the 
river flowing round about it, and running be- 
tween, not passable through but by bridges, 
lying out in length, as it were, in one direct, 
broad street, and the same having a bridge 
over it.' " 

The children were very much interested in 
these statements, and Walter asked " if there 
had not been some battles fought there in the 
time of the civil wars in Great Britain." 



158 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" I have not time to tell you now about that 
part of the history of the place. We will find 
some citizen who knows all about the place, to 
whom we can apply for facts.'' 

The next morning was the Sabbath, a bright, 
clear, beautiful day ; and while the party were 
all sitting in one of the parlors of the hotel, 
looking out upon the crowds that filled the 
streets, — gayly dressed ladies and men in holi- 
day attire, — the bells on Shandon Steeple sent 
a merry sound far and wide. Conversation was 
suspended, as all listened to those harmonious 
sounds that seemed to be melting on the air, 
and Walter, as they died away in the distance, 
repeated a few lines from one of our poets. 

" List the chiming, how it floats 
On the air in tuneful notes ! 

List the chiming, 

And the rhyming, 
Of the bells in golden notes. 
So seems to me the poet's art : 
From the music in his heart, 

Words upspringing, 

"Widely ringing, 
Are like bell-chimes in the heart. 

" Again the chiming, how it floats, 
Now in muffled, mournful notes ! 
Slowly tolling, 
Deeply rolling 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 159 

So often seems the poet's art : 
From the sorrow in his heart, 

Words levealing 

Depths of feeling 
Sound like bell-tolls in the heart." 

The mellow sound of these Shandon bells led 
to a conversation on " bells, bells, brazen bells." 

" Where is the largest bell in the world ? " 
asked Minnie. 

" In Russia," said Mr. Percy. " It is called 
the King of Bells." 

" What does it weigh ? " 

"It is said to weigh four hundred and forty- 
three thousand seven hundred and seventy-two 
pounds, and is more than twenty-one feet high, 
and if melted up and sold for old metal, would 
bring three hundred and thirty-two thousand 
eight hundred and twenty-five dollars. It seems 
almost incredible, but I have seen the statement 
gravely put forth, and Walter must look up the 
facts, and see if what I state on the authority 
of others is correct." 

" Is there any other large bell in Russia ? " 

" Yes ; the bell on St. Ivan's Church, in 
Moscow, weighs one hundred and twenty-seven 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six pounds, 
and is of a very rich, superior tone." 

" What is the largest bell in England ? " 



160 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" I think the one on St. Paul's Cathedral, 
which you will see when you get to London. 
The clapper of that weighs one hundred and 
eighty pounds, and the sides of the bell are 
more than ten inches thick." 

" How can they ring it ? " 

" They do not ring it, but only use it for 
tolling on occasions when eminent personages 
die." 

" What does the bell on St. Paul's weigh ? " 

" As near as I remember, between six and 
seven tons. There is another at Oxford of about 
the same size, called ' Great Tom,' which I will 
take you to see when you reach that interesting 
old place." 

" Have we any bells on the American conti- 
nent larger than the one on St. Paul's ? " 

" Yes, the bell at Montreal is said to weigh 
several tons more." 

" I don't see how they get them into the 
towers." 

" That is easily done, my child." 

" Do not some of the bells have inscriptions 
on them ? " asked Walter. 

" Almost all of them do, my son. They are ded- 
icated to some personage, or the circumstances 
under which they are cast are stated, or some 
fancy inscription is put upon them. There is a 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 161 

bell at Rouen, in France, which has an inscrip- 
tion which is thus translated : — - 

' I am George of Ambois — 
Thirty-five thousand in pois ; 
But he that will weigh me 
Thirty-six thousand shall find me.' " 

Just then the Shandon bells began to ring 
again, and all paused and listened ; and as they 
closed, Mr. Percy remarked, " There is always 
something affecting in the sound of a bell, 
whether it is tolled, or rung, or chimed. I re- 
member of reading a fact which illustrates this. 
Many years ago, an artist contracted and cast a 
chime of bells for an Italian convent. The 
tones were so fine, musical, and melancholy, that 
all who listened to them, were charmed with the 
sound. The artist himself was so pleased with 
his success, that he built a villa near the con- 
vent, that he might listen ; and there for many 
years he lived, listening to the music of the 
bells. But war swept through the valleys and 
over the mountains of Italy ; the monks were 
scattered, the convent demolished, and the bells 
carried away ; and the artisan, suffering confisca- 
tion and persecution, was driven into foreign 
countries. In course of years, as the story goes', 
he journeyed to Ireland, and as he sailed in his 
vol. i. 11 



162 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

shallop up the bosom of the broad Shannon, 
there burst upon his ears a peal of bells from a 
neighboring cathedral. He had found at last 
his long-lost treasures, and, bowing his head 
upon his breast, he listened long in silence. 
When his companions at length looked towards 
him, they saw his face still turned to the cathe- 
dral; but his eyes had closed forever to this 
world. He was dead." 

" Do you think that is true, father ? " asked 
Minnie. 

" I do not know, but I give you the incident 
just as I read it, and nearly in the author's own 
language." 

The proposal was now made that they go out 
to church, and on the way pass by Shandon 
steeple. Walter was disappointed when stand- 
ing in the street, and looking up into the tower- 
ing spire, for he expected to see something more 
elaborate and beautiful. Nor did a glance at the 
inside increase his admiration. But Mr. Percy re- 
minded him that many buildings in America, for 
which we have great veneration, are not remark- 
able for architectural beauty. Faneuil Hall, and 
the old Independence Hall in Philadelphia, are not 
the best specimens of art, but they are endeared 
to the hearts of all who love liberty. And this 
Shandon steeple is dear to all Corkonians. They 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 163 

have many rich old Irish ballads, in which it 
finds a central place. 

" Can yon recite any of these ballads, father ?" 
asked Walter, with earnestness. 

" No, but perhaps Mr. Tenant can." 

Mr. Tenant, on being thus appealed to, said 
he could recite a few stanzas of a poem written 
by a parish priest living near by, which he re- 
membered to have committed to memory long 
ago. 

" Do give them to us," chimed in little 
Minnie. 

Mr. Tenant then recited the following verses, 
which, he said, were all he could remember of 
the poem : — 

" I've heard bells chiming 
Full many a clime in, 
Tolling sublime in 

Cathedral shrine, 
While at a glibe rate 
Brass tongues would vibrate ; 
But all their music 

Spoke nought like thine. 

" For memory, dwelling 
On each proud swelling 
Of thy belfry knelling 

Its bold note* 1 free, 
Made the bells of Shandon 
Sound far more ^rand on 



164 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The pleasant waters 
Of the River Lee. 

" "With deep affection 
And recollection 
I often think of 

Those Shandon bells, 
"Whose sounds so wild would, 
In the days of childhood, 
Fling round my cradle 

Their magic spells. 

" On this I ponder 
"Where'er I wander, 
And thus grow fonder, 

Sweet Cork, of thee ; 
With thy bells of Shandon, 
That sound so grand on 
The pleasant waters 

Of the River Lee." 

The whole party attended church in a little 
chapel built by dissenters, where they heard an 
earnest, able discourse delivered, by a simple, 
godly man, to a small, but very devout and sin- 
cere audience. The remainder of the day was 
spent in reading some good books, and seeking 
spiritual communion with Him who loves the 
spiritual worshipper. 

On Monday, a yacht was engaged, and the 
travellers took an excursion in the harbor and 
bay. The day was beautiful, and the whole 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 165 

party was pleased with what they saw. Walter 
was especially interested, for he found on board 
the yacht an old man, who stood all day at the 
helm, with a pipe in his mouth, who was a per- 
fect volume of history, the leaves of which were 
self-turning ; and from him he derived much 
useful information in relation to Cork and its 
environs. He also told Walter that many no- 
ble and honorable men had lived in or near 
Cork. 

The lad was anxious to know some of them, 
and the old man mentioned the name of Edmund 
Spenser. 

" Who was he ? I never heard of him. Was 
he a warrior ? " 

" No, he was an English poet, of considerable 
note, who became possessor of large tracts of 
land in Ireland, and took up his residence near 
Cork." 

" What works did he write ? " 

" He wrote several, among which were the 
< Fairy Queen,' the ' View of Ireland,' and some 
others. But his end was unfortunate." 

" Please tell us about it." 

" 0, well, it is not to the credit of Ireland, but 
I will tell it. He was a dear, kind, good man, 
but in an insurrection, with many of which Ire- 
land has been cursed, he was obliged to leave 



166 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the beautiful house which he had built to be 
burned by the rioters ; and so sudden was his 
flight, that his infant child was left behind and 
was burned with the house." 

" Did the poet escape ? " 

" Yes, he fled into the city, leaving his house 
burning behind him, and the yells of his pursu- 
ers falling on his ears, but found protection 
here, and finally went to England, and died in 
sorrow." 

" Has Ireland furnished many literary men ? " 

" Yes, some of the most distinguished are of 
Celtic origin. Have you ever heard of Oliver 
Goldsmith ? He was an Irishman, born in the 
county of Longford." 

" I have read the Vicar of Wakefield, but 
did not know that Goldsmith was an Irishman," 
said Minnie. 

Mr. Tenant saw the face of the old, weather- 
beaten sailor lighting up with smiles at the en- 
thusiasm of Minnie, and thought he would touch 
his pride in another direction ; so he said, very 
quietly,— 

" But Goldsmith did not like Ireland ; did 
he?" 

" Sure yes, he would have poured out every 
drop of his blood for old Ireland." 

" But I have read somewhere, that in writing 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 16? 

to a friend, he says, after expressing a wish to 
see his native land, — 

" < But now, to be serious : let me ask myself 
what gives me a wish to see Ireland again ? The 
country is a fine one, perhaps ? No. There is 
good company in Ireland ? No. The conversa- 
tion there is generally made up, and the vivacity 
supported, by some humble cousin, who had just 
folly enough to earn his dinner. Then, perhaps, 
there's more wit and learning among the Irish ? 

Lord, no ! There has been more money spent 
in the encouragement of the Padareen mare 
there in one season, than given in rewards to 
learned men since the time of Usher. All their 
productions in learning amount to perhaps a 
translation, or a few tracts in divinity ; and all 
their productions in wit to just nothing at all. 
Why the plague, then, so fond of Ireland ? 
Then, all at once, because you, my dear friend, 
and a few more who are exceptions to the gen- 
eral picture, have a residence there. This it is 
that gives me all the pangs I feel in separation. 

1 confess I carry this spirit sometimes to the 
souring of the pleasures I at present possess. If 
I go to the opera, where Signora Columba pours 
out all the mazes of melody, I sit and sigh for 
Lissoy fireside, and Johnny Armstrong's " Last 
Good Night," from Peggy Golden. If I climb 



168 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

»o^oc 

Hampstead Hill, than where nature never ex- 
hibited a more magnificent prospect, I confess it 
fine ; but then I had rather be placed on the 
little mount before Lissoy gate, and there take 
in, to me, the most pleasing horizon in nature.' " 

The old man heard him repeat the passage, 
and then exclaimed, — 

" No wit among the Irish ! That was said 
after Goldsmith got his Irish heart changed to 
English." 

Walter put one or two more questions, but 
the old man was wounded, and would not 
communicate any more information ; and Mr. 
Tenant, to heal the wound that he had made, 
remarked that it was Goldsmith's life-long wish 
to return, at last, and die amid the scenes of his 
boyhood. 

" Where did he die ? " asked Walter. 

" In London, and was buried in the Temple 
Church, and has a monument to his memory in 
Westminster Abbey." 

The yacht was now nearing the pier, and " all 
hands," as Walter expressed it, were soon on 
land. 

A little time remaining before nightfall, a 
visit was made to the Mathew monument, which 
stands near the Capuchin Church, on Charlotte 
Quay. Irish gratitude commenced the erection 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 169 

of this memorial of the labors of Father Mathew, 
who formerly labored here as a priest. The 
monument is still in an unfinished state. It 
consists of a double round tower, and when 
perfected will have an imposing appearance. 

" Have you ever seen Father Mathew ? n 
asked Walter of Mr. Percy. 

" Yes ; ten or twelve years ago he was ii^ 
America, and I saw him, and heard him speaX 
at one of the Catholic churches in Boston. He 
also administered the pledge to a large number 
of people. " 

Having looked at the monument, walked 
through some of the streets of Cork, and noticed 
many features of the style of life among the, 
people, they returned to the hotel, where they 
took a late dinner, which was prepared for them 
in excellent style. In the evening Walter and 
his father went out to present several letters of 
introduction to distinguished citizens of Cork to 
whom he had been recommended ; and many 
pleasant interviews they had with fine old Irish 
gentlemen, who received the strangers with gen- 
uine hospitality. 

The next morning, Walter, who was the guide 
and planner for the party, marked out a visit to 
Blarney Castle, and a janting car was taken for 
the purpose. The ride was through a fine coun- 



170 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

try, the fields were beautiful with flowers, and 
the whole face of nature was arrayed in smiles 
of hopefulness. 

Ireland is full of relics ; vestiges of ancient 
Phoenician architecture and life are seen on all 
sides. The old Druids have left their marks on 
the very stones of the earth, and the mediaeval 
periods have lingering monuments of their feu- 
dal systems, to speak of them to the living age. 

Blarney Castle is four miles from Cork, and 
the road being hard and smooth, the company 
were soon on the ground. The castle consists 
of a large square tower and some minor build- 
ings, and is a favorite object with travellers who 
pass through the south of Ireland. 

As they approached it, Mr. Percy told the 
children that there was a stone in the wall of 
this Castle which was supposed to have great 
virtues. Whoever kisses it three times will al- 
ways succeed in love, will at once become gifted 
with great powers of persuasion, become an elo- 
quent orator, and receive various other gifts. 

" Does any one believe that ? " asked Walter. 

" It has been believed in times past, and 
doubtless some superstitious people believe it 
now. It is said that the Blarney Stone is kissed 
every year by hundreds of people." 

" I'll kiss it," cried Minnie. 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 173 

An Irish guide had met them at the gates 
of the castle, and persisted in showing them 
through, and at length they came to the part of 
the edifice that had set in it the wonderful stone. 
The guide pointed it out. It is in the tower, 
and he assured Mr. Percy that its merits were 
not overrated. 

Minnie reached up and kissed it, and ex- 
claimed, " Now I shall be an irresistible 
pleader." 

" You talked blarney enough before," said 
Walter. 

" But, sure," said the guide to Minnie, " you 
must kiss it three times." 

" Well, three times it is," shouted the enthu- 
siastic child. 

" You must go down on your knees." 

" Ah, is that it ? " 

And Minnie complied with all the terms of 
the superstition, and rattled on so merrily about 
blarney stones and yielding lovers, that Mr. 
Percy checked her with the remark, " You are 
a little too gay, Minnie, and had better reserve 
some of your remarks until you get home." 

The little girl, thus rebuked, became silent, 
and allowed the guide, in his extravagant way, 
to describe the wonders of the Blarney Stone. 

" I have often heard hoys and men say, ' Stop 



174 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

your blarney,' " said Walter. " Has that any 
connection with this stone ? " 

" Yes," said Mr. Tenant ; " as this stone is 
supposed to give readiness of speech to those 
who kiss it, an excess of talking has been termed 
1 blarney.' " 

" The word never ha/3 any significance to me 
before ; now I shall understand it." 

" Many words originate in similar ways. Did 
you ever hear any one term harsh, vile talk, 
< Billingsgate ' ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

" Well, Billingsgate is a fish market in London, 
and the fishmongers who deal in the market are 
very vile tongued, and it has become common 
to call vile expressions ' Billingsgate ' expres- 
sions. So an excess of talking is called ' blar- 
ney.' " 

Having seen the castle, they all rode back to 
Cork ; and as they entered the city, they met a 
woman in a neat Quaker dress, which led Mr. 
Percy to remark that in Cork, William Penn, 
the founder of Pennsylvania, became a Quaker. 
The children were anxious to know what he was 
before, and what arguments were used to con- 
vert him to the ideas of the Society of Friends. 

Mr. Percy told them all he knew about it, 
which was not much, but enough to satisfy their 
curiosity. 



FANCY TRIP TO CORK. 175 

" When was it ? " asked Walter. 

" In the year 1658, and the Quakers of that 
day were not like those of our day. They were 
more set and rigid." 

To illustrate this, he told Walter the story of 
John Exham, who, about the time of the con- 
version of Penn, went through the streets of 
Cork, with sackcloth on his person and ashes on 
his head, disturbing the people. 

" What did they do with him ? " asked Minnie. 

" They shut him up in prison." 

" Was that right, father ? " 

" No, not unless he disturbed the peace. No 
error or fanaticism can be put down by perse- 
cution." 

Thus several days were spent in seeing the 
objects of interest in the vicinity of Cork. Ex- 
cursions were made into the country, and many 
very pleasant places seen. The whole country 
is rich in historic associations, and Mr. Percy 
was reluctant to leave, but previously formed 
plans required it ; so they started, at length, for 
the Lakes of Killarney, in a carriage hired at 
Cork for the purpose, the driver sitting in front, 
Mr. Percy and Walter occupying one seat in the 
vehicle, and Mr. Tenant and Minnie the other. 



176 THE PERCY FAMILY. 



Chapter IX. 

LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 

AFTER Walter knew that he was to spend 
a few months in Europe, he was very apt 
in forming acquaintance with foreigners ; and as 
Irish people are numerous in Cambridge, he 
was not put to any inconvenience in getting de- 
scriptions of Ireland before he left home. He 
plagued the Irish servants in the family with 
questions about the green isle ; he talked whole 
hours with the Irish coachman of one of his 
father's neighbors, but obtained the most infor- 
mation from a gardener employed by Mr. Tenant. 
This gardener was a well-informed man, who 
had formerly moved in good circles, but who 
had been reduced by drink, and now labored in 
a menial service. The old man was born in 
Killarney, and he was never tired of describing 
the glories of his native town, and the beauti- 
ful lakes. Walter had determined, during these 
interviews with the gardener, whose name was 
Patrick Mahoney, to see Killarney Lakes, if he 
ever lived to tread the soil of Ireland ; and when 



LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 177 

he found himself on his way, he was very happy 
in the idea that he should see what Pat had so 
graphically described. 

" Patrick, your gardener," said he, turning to 
Mr. Tenant, " says the lakes are the finest sight 
he ever saw." 

" And Patrick is not alone in that opinion. 
The great Sir Walter Scott said the same thing, 
and from what I have read, with some reason, 
too." 

On the arrival of the party at Killarney, they 
went to the Queen's Hotel, and hired a guide to 
go with them the next day, which they did very 
easily, as many persons in the town make a 
living of conducting strangers to the objects of 
interest. The town contains about ten thousand 
inhabitants, and many of them are very poor 
and illiterate. The Earl of Kenmare owns the 
whole place, and there is nothing to see there. 
The principal business is done by hotel keepers, 
who charge enormous prices for entertaining 
strangers. If a traveller does not ask for a tariff 
of prices, and make a definite bargain before he 
takes his rooms, he is almost sure to be charged 
at an extravagant rate, whatever may be his 
accommodations. The hotel season is confined 
to the few summer months, and the landlords 
make the most of it. Mr. Percy had guarded 
vol. I. 12 



178 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

against any extortion by fixing the prices to be 
paid before he had his baggage taken from the 
carriage. And all travellers in Europe should 
do this. The consciences of European inn- 
keepers are so elastic that they will cover a most 
inordinate bill, and the traveller must guard 
himself by a previous bargain. 

When morning came, the whole party started 
out on their explorations, — Mr. Percy and his 
friend Tenant on horseback, and Walter and Min- 
nie in a sort of flag-work car, which was drawn 
by one horse, and rode very easily. We do not 
expect to follow them in just the course they took, 
but to refer to the places they visited somewhat 
briefly, covering a period of three days, which 
were required to see all the objects of interest. 

The lakes are three in number, and into 
them several small rivers flow continually, 
and supply them with water. These rivers are 
the Deenab, the Flesk, the Gearhameen, and 
several others, scarcely one of which we should 
dignify with the name of river in this country. 
The outlet is the River Laune, which connects 
with the distant sea. These beautiful sheets of 
water are called the Upper Lake, the Tore Lake, 
and the Lower Lake, and each one has its objects 
of interest. 

The Upper Lake is two and a half miles long, 



LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 179 

and not more than half a mile broad. The 
scenery around it is very fine, being wild and 
romantic. As the party came in view of this 
lake, Minnie shouted with all her might, " Da 
these people call that a lake ? " 

" Yes," replied her father, who was riding 
beside the carriage ; " what wonld you call it ? " 

" Frog Pond, if we had it on Boston Com- 
mon." 

" It is not its size, but its beauty, my child, 
that draws attention to it." 

" Well, if they make such a fuss over this 
pond, what would they say if they had Lake 
Winnipiseogee here in this country ? " 

" That is right, Minnie ; stand up for home," 
laughingly replied Walter. 

" You are a little captious, daughter ; this 
country is unable to suit you." 

" No, indeed, pa ; but something must be set 
against Walter's enthusiasm." 

On reaching the Upper Lake, they found it to 
be all that travellers had described it to be ; its 
banks set with the beautiful arbutus unedo ; and 
waters dashing now on a sandy shore, and anon 
against the base of the high cliff, and beautiful 
landscape views breaking upon the sight in all 
directions. 

The Tore Lake is about two miles long, and 



180 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

half as wide. One or two villages are on its 
banks, objects of interest are seen in all direc- 
tions, and the islands dotting the lake appear 
like green clumps of grass rising above the sur- 
face of the water. It is charming to ride along 
the lake, or to sail across it ; and as Minnie 
stood, getting one view after another, she began 
to confess the charm which the scenery exer- 
cised upon her. 

The Lower Lake is the largest of the three, 
and is more tame in its scenery, having around 
it fewer of the wild scenes which distinguish the 
others. Our party staid long enough around 
them to get a view of all the objects of interest, 
and see all the famous landscape scenes. The 
view which charmed Walter most was from the 
summit of Tore Mountain. After a climb which 
to the children was very laborious, they found 
themselves on the top. As they stood there they 
saw a river flowing between it and the neigh- 
boring mountain, and Walter asked, — 

" What mountains are those in the distance ? " 

" That beyond the river is the Mange rton 
Mountain ; on the other side of us are the Glena 
Mountains." 

" How high is this one, pa ? " asked Minnie. 

" About eighteen hundred feet." 

The view from the summit of this mountain 



LAKES OP KILLARNEY. 181 

was a delightful one, and for a long time they 
stood enjoying it. After partaking of some re^ 
freshments on the Tore, they descended, which 
was about as difficult a thing to do as the ascent, 
so precipitous and uneven are the sides of the 
hill. 

As they came down they visited the Tore 
Waterfall, a beautiful cascade that dashes down 
over the sultry rocks, now almost hidden be- 
neath the foliage, and anon splashing on, cast- 
ing up beautiful spray, — roaring, and foaming, 
and tumbling down the cliffs, now in one broad 
sheet, and anon broken and shivered into little 
spiteful jets. 

They came in sight of Muckross Abbey, an 
old ruin, with a choir window yet in a state 
of considerable perfection, and a square tower, 
broken at the top, and hung with vines that are 
creeping over it. It was formerly a Franciscan 
monastery ; but the monks died long ago, and 
the edifice where once they counted their beads, 
and chanted their prayers, is now a mass of 
ruins. The guide told Walter that the abbey 
was founded in the year 1440, and that hun- 
dreds of years before that a church stood on 
this spot. 

" Will you see the Lady's Walk ? " asked the 
guide. 



182 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Where is that ? " inquired Minnie. 

They entered a fine walk, which leads from 
the abbey along the shores of the lake, beside 
which seats are placed for the accommodation of 
those who wish to rest and meditate on the sober 
reminiscences of the place. The Walk is two or 
three miles long, but our party did not pursue 
it far. He also pointed them to the trunk of the 
yew tree to which Inglis alludes in the follow- 
ing passage : " No one should visit Killarney 
without seeing Muckross Abbey. It is a very 
beautiful and very perfect remain, and contains 
within it the most gigantic yew tree I have ever 
seen ; its arms actually support the crumbling 
wall, and form a canopy above the open clois- 
ters. The trunk of this majestic yew tree meas- 
ures thirteen feet in circumference. " 

On Dinis Island they dined. There is on 
this island an elegant little cottage, where sub- 
stantial refreshments are kept for visitors. An- 
other party had just left the cottage, and our 
friends took their places at the table. A mod- 
erate bill of fare was put before them ; and at 
Walter's order, a fine dish of boiled salmon was 
brought on, and with the other accompaniments, 
a nice, wholesome, though frugal, meal was 
made. The island is connected with the main 
land by a little bridge on one side, and with 



LAKES OP KILLARNEY. 183 

Brickeen Island in the same way on the other 
side. After dinner the party went out and 
threw themselves on the greensward, and 
conversed of home and friends for a long 
time. 

Having rested, they proceeded to the Eagle's 
Nest, a curious hill, conical in form. It has a 
flat, bare top, while its sides are all covered with 
beautiful shrubbery. 

" Shall we climb the mountain ? " asked Mr. 
Percy. 

" I do not care about it," said Mr. Tenant. 

" 0, do go up ; I am not tired," was Minnie's 
answer. 

" Yes, I want to go up," said Walter. 

" Two against one," said Mr. Percy, " and I 
also incline to see the top." 

So they all started on, parting the shrubbery, 
and wandering among the trees, and after a 
very bold climbing, reached the summit. Here 
Walter asked, — 

" Why is this elevation called the Eagle's 
Nest ? " 

" Because," replied his father, " in the rocks 
around us the eagles build their nests." 

" I do not see any signs of eagles." 

" No, they are not so common here as for- 
merly. Since visitors have come to the mountain 



184 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

and lakes in such vast numbers, the retreat of 
the eagles has been disturbed." 

On descending from the mountain, the guide 
took a pistol from his pocket, at the sight of 
which Minnie started. 

" What are you going to do with that ? " 

" You will see," he replied. 

" I guess I know," said Walter. 

" What, what ? tell me," was Minnie's impa- 
tient rejoinder. 

" I think he is going to shoot an eagle." 

" Where is the eagle ? " 

" I do not see him, but perhaps the guide 
does." 

Mr. Percy was as much at a loss to know what 
the fellow was about to do as his children were, 
nor was Mr. Tenant any better informed. But 
the matter was soon explained, for the guide dis- 
charged the pistol into the air. For a moment 
after the report all was still ; then a single echo, 
and then another, and another, until the whole 
mountain seemed to be full of unseen shooters. 
The effect was so grand that the children clapped 
their hands in the greatest glee, and, at the 
earnest solicitation of the gentlemen, the pistol 
was discharged again with greater effect than 
before. The party then descended, very rapidly, 
the Long Range, and passed under the old Wek 



LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 185 

Bridge, which, with two spans, crosses the stream, 
which is very rapid. Minnie, who is not very 
timid, was actually frightened as the boat went 
whirling along by the stones, and dashing on 
through dangers which would have appalled 
persons of a more advanced age. The little girl 
said nothing, but her pale face and compressed 
lips showed how much her fears were aroused. 
When the boat shot out into Muckross Lake, she 
breathed freely, exclaiming, — 
"lam glad that is over ! " 

The next day they visited several places, 
among which was Ross Island, on which stands 
the ruins of Ross Castle. Concerning this castle 
there are many strange tales of horror, which 
the guide related to the children, who treasured 
every one of them. Some of them were so ab- 
surd, that they made much sport for the young 
people. They went through the castle, and 
ascended to the top of the square tower, from 
which point a fine view of the country was ob- 
tained. 

As they came down, the guide told Walter of 
a famous echo, at the base of this huge tower. 
He told him that there was a legend, which af- 
firmed that a giant named Paddy Blake, was 
concealed under the tower, and that whoever 



186 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

called to him would receive an answer. Walter 
called, as the guide told him to, and a hoarse 
sound was the response ; and Minnie declared 
that if that was the giant's answer, it was not 
very intelligible ; and Walter assured the guide 
that he had not much faith in Paddy Blake. 

As they wandered about the island, they found 
some evidences of the fact that the copper min- 
ing had been carried on in the place. It seems 
that about fifty years ago, a few gentlemen en- 
deavored to reopen the mine on this island, 
which had been worked a great many years 
before. They toiled on a while, and when the 
prospect of the mine became very profitable, 
the water from the lake broke in, and the opera- 
tion will probably never be resumed. 

The three days were taken up in visits to the 
various objects of interest around the lakes. 
They saw the famous Logan Stone, left by the 
ancient Druids to puzzle and perplex the curious ; 
the Devil's Punch Bowl, not half so dangerous 
as the common punch bowl, though a very wild 
place ; the Gap of Dnnloe, a sort of Alpine pass, 
though found in Ireland ; and many other inter- 
esting things and places. They stood and looked 
up upon 0' Sullivan's Falls, and wandered into 
O'Sullivan's Grotto ; they wandered about Dun- 
loe Castle, charmed with its stern, wild appear- 



LAKES OF KILLABNEY. 187 

ance ; and saw every thing from O'Donoghue's 
prison to his pulpit, and returned to Killarney 
with a most delightful impression of the lakes 
and the mountains. 

The morning after, it was arranged to journey 
north, by early stages, and see the country, and 
got what information they could concerning the 
habits and customs of the people. For this pur- 
pose they took a carriage, seating four persons 
besides the driver, and started out, as they had 
come to Killarney. As they rode on, Mr. Tenant 
asked Walter what he should tell Patrick Ma- 
honey about the lakes of Killarney. 

" I shall tell him they are all he described 
them to be." 

" Then you are not disappointed ? " 

" Not at all." 

" Nor I," said Minnie. " These lakes are 
beau ti ful." 

And this was the general expression, Mr. 
Percy uniting in praise of the beautiful scenery 
as earnestly as his children. 

As they rode on, the children were amused 
with many tilings which they saw. A boy driv- 
ing a donkey, with two baskets over his back, 
one hanging down on each side, made much 
sport for Minnie. An old farmer, driving his 
wife and child along the road in a basket-work 



188 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

carriage, drawn by a horse that looked as if he 
had been fed on sawdust, (a view of which we 
give on the next page,) also drew their attention. 
They were also much pleased with the abbeys 
and ruins of churches which were seen all along 
the way through the country ; and Mr. Percy 
gave to his children such facts in relation to 
these ruined edifices, as made even the frolicking 
Minnie to look upon them with interest. Hu 
related ; as they rode on, many interesting le- 
gends ; for almost all the old ruins have curious 
tales to tell. 

" You remember," he said to Walter, " an old 
abbey we saw on the banks of the Suir ? " 

" Certainly, sir." 

"What, father, the Holy Cross Abbey?" 
asked Minnie. 

" Yes, my child." 

" Why is it called by this name ? " asked 
Walter. " I forgot to ask at the time." 

" It was so called, I believe, because in the 
year 1110, Pope Pascal sent to the church con- 
nected with the abbey a piece of the true cross ; 
and it was to speak of this circumstance that 
I called your attention to the abbey." 

" Was it a piece of the true cross ? " 

" Of course not. I have seen in Europe 
many pieces of wood which were said, by super- 



LAKES OF KILLARNEY. 191 

stitious people, to be pieces of the true cross ; 
but they were miserable impositions." 

" What became of the piece of wood that was 
sent by the pope to this abbey ? " 

" It was set in gold and precious stones, and 
for a long time venerated by the people ; but 
what has become of it I do not know." 

Mr. Percy then gave many interesting remi- 
niscences of the abbey, (for a view of which see 
the frontispiece to this volume,) and the chil- 
dren were delighted with the entertainment. 

They rode in a northerly direction until they 
struck a railroad, where they dismissed their 
carriage and driver, and proceeded by rail to 
Dublin, having had a most interesting tour in 
the south of Ireland. 

" How long do you stay here ? " asked Walter 
of his father on the evening of their arrival. 

" Only one night, my son. To-morrow we 
will go out to Maynooth, and then proceed to- 
wards the north." 

Accordingly they bade adieu to Dublin, and 
proceeded to Maynooth, on the way to the inter- 
esting places in the north of Ireland, where they 
were to stay for a few days before crossing over 
to Scotland. 



192 THE PERCY FAMILY. 



Chapter X. 

MAYNOOTH AND DEOGHEDA. 

" i ND is this Maynooth, of which I have heard 
-£*- and read so much ? " asked Walter, as 
they entered that town. 

" I suppose it is. But what have you heard 
or read about it, Walter ? " asked Mr. Percy. 

" I have read of Maynooth College, and have 
seen in the English papers signs of strife between 
the friends and foes of the college." 

" Why should there be a strife about a col- 
lege ? " asked Minnie. 

" Because," replied her father, " this college 
is for the education of young men for the Bo- 
man Catholic priesthood, and Protestants oppose 
all grants of money, on the ground that it is a 
sectarian institution." 

" But are not all the English colleges as sec- 
tarian ? " asked Walter. 

" They are most of them under the control of 
the Church of England." 

" Then where is the difference ? " 

" The difference consists in the fact that while 



MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 193 

in English colleges, generally, young men are 
educated for all professions and vocations in 
life, and the theological training is not made a 
specality ; in Maynooth the young men are trained 
directly for the priesthood." 

" Then the college is more like the Andover 
Seminary, or the institution at Newton ? " 

" It is an institution lying between the college 
and the theological seminary, or rather combin- 
ing both/' 

" When was this college founded ? " 

" In the year 1795." 

Thus conversing, they reached the college, 
w.id Mr. Percy having a letter of introduction to 
one of the prominent teachers, the whole party 
were very kindly received, and shown through 
the bandings, which are very finely located, and 
very spacious. They consist of chapel, dormi- 
tories, lecture and recitation rooms, professors' 
apartments, library, dining halls, and all the 
usual conveniences of such an institution. 

When they had inspected the college build- 
ings, one of the professors very kindly accom- 
panied them to the parish church, a building of 
some historical interest, to the old ruined castle 
of the Fitzgeralds, built several centuries ago, 
and to all the various objects of interest in the 
town. Of the latter there were, indeed, few, as 
vol. i. 13 



194 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the town of Maynooth is small, and has only one 
principal street, and few buildings of importance 
except those mentioned. 

As the day advanced, they took the cars for 
Drogheda, where they decided to spend the 
night. While waiting in the station house, 
Walter proposed to ride in the third-class cars. 

" We have been riding in the first-class cars, 
and we have seen nobody but ourselves," he 
said. " We have a whole car to ourselves, and 
do not see the people as I would like to see 
them." 

" A sensible suggestion," replied Mr. Tenant ; 
" and as the distance to Drogheda is short, I 
propose that we follow Walter's advice." 

" But Minnie will be most inconvenienced. 
If she consents, I have no objection," said Mr. 
Percy ; " but she must remember that she will 
be crowded into a car with many very dirty peo- 
ple, some of whom will be smoking, and some 
swearing, and some yelling." 

" What say, Minnie ? " asked Walter. 

" I say yes," replied the little girl ; " I dare 
go any where that you dare carry me." 

So it was agreed that they should take the 
third-class cars, and the tickets were purchased 
accordingly. 

On entering the car, they found it filled with 



MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 195 

a very rough looking set of people. The seats 
were close together, the windows were small, and 
the prospect of a pleasant ride not altogether 
auspicious. The Irish peasants, who filled the 
carriage, conversed boisterously together, and 
Minnie began to regret that they had taken their 
tickets in the third class. But a humorous 
remark, indulged in by a full-faced, genial old 
man, at the expense of a fellow-traveller, pro- 
voked shouts of laughter, in which our friends 
joined, and the whole company soon became 
very much interested in the wit and fun for 
which the Irish people are noted. 

Mr. Percy soon engaged in conversation with 
some of the men, who were very communica- 
tive, furnishing all the information in their 
power in relation to the country through which 
they were riding, the politics and morals of the 
people, and the religious condition and prospects 
of the Irish nation. Walter was delighted with 
the country, all waving with grain, beautiful to 
the eye, fragrant and fair, and reminding one of 
the beauties of Eden. He could scarcely restrain 
his emotions as one view after another burst 
upon him, and in his enthusiasm, he forgot his 
hard seat and uncouth fellow-passengers, ab- 
sorbed in the landscape scenes, which every 
where presented themselves. Minnie was amus- 



196 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

ing herself with the quaint remarks, the curious 
pronunciation, and the general hilarity of the 
Irish people in the car, and she laughed as heart- 
ily, if not as boisterously, as they. Mr. Tenant, 
with his cigar in his mouth, sat leaning back in a 
corner, now and then uttering some remark, to 
add to the general good feeling which seemed to 
exist, himself pleased that he could be in a com- 
pany that were not annoyed by his bad habit of 
smoking — a habit which he unfortunately con- 
tracted when a boy, but which strengthened with 
his strength and grew with his growth. 

" How, is it," asked Walter, " that a country 
which looks so fertile, and has so many evi- 
dences of thrift, can contain so many poor peo- 
ple ? " 

Mr. Percy explained, and gave his son much 
useful information in relation to the way in 
which the lands in Ireland are held, the tenantry 
system, and the various causes which tend to 
the poverty of the laboring classes. 

Thus they rode on, passing several interesting 
Irish towns, (one of which appears on the oppo- 
site page,) with their humble church, lowly 
graveyard, thatched and stone cottages, and 
their poor but cheerful inhabitants ; and when 
the children found the cars had reached Droghe- 
da, they complained that the ride was so short, 



-*< 






II 1 






•V 




MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 199 

and that they were so soon to part company with 
those who had furnished them so much amuse- 
ment and information. 

" What a wonderful way of travelling we 
have ! " said Walter ; " and how surprised our 
ancestors would be if they could come back from 
their graves, and see steam carriages flying 
across the country as rapidly as we have come 
from Maynooth ! " 

" Yes, my son," replied Mr. Percy, " in 
nothing do we see greater improvements than in 
the facilities for travelling. Stage coaches were 
introduced into England about the year 1670, to 
take the place of private carriages, post chaises, 
and saddle riding ; and now we have locomotives 
instead of horses, and beautiful cars instead of 
the awkward vehicles which then went over the 
road, about thirty miles per day." 

" Where did the first stage coach run — over 
what road ? " 

" From Oxford to London. It was called the 
Flying Coach." 

" I suppose the people then thought that as 
wonderful as we now think the railway is ? " 

" Yes, it was an enterprise so important that 
the University of Oxford gravely considered it, 
and issued a recommendatory notice of it ; but 
many people opposed it as a dangerous innova- 
tion." 



200 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" A dangerous innovation ? " 

" Yes, a tract was published against it, and 
hundreds of people petitioned the king that cer- 
tain restrictions might be put upon it. These 
restrictions, which related to its speed, the fre- 
quency of the passages, the number of horses to 
be attached to it, the petitioners hoped would 
make the stage coach so unprofitable that few 
would feel desirous of sustaining it." 

" What objection could they have to such an 
improvement in the mode of travelling ? " 

" They had various objections, all of which 
were unsound and frivolous. Mr. Macaulay tells 
us that it was vehemently ' argued that this mode 
of conveyance would be fatal to the breed of 
horses and the noble art of horsemanship ; that 
the Thames, which had long been an important 
nursery of seamen, would cease to be the chief 
thoroughfare from London up to Windsor and 
down to Gravesend ; that saddlers and spurriers 
would be ruined by hundreds ; that numerous 
inns, at which mounted travellers had been in 
the habit of stopping, would be deserted, and 
would no longer pay any rent ; that the new 
carriages would be too cold in winter and too 
hot in summer ; that the passengers would be 
grievously annoyed by invalids and crying chil- 
dren ; that the coach would sometimes reach 



MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 201 

the inn so late that the passengers could get no 
supper, and start so early in the morning that 
they could get no breakfast.' " 

The cars now stopped at Drogheda, and our 
company at once repaired to the hotel, an old- 
fashioned, comfortable inn. This Drogheda is 
a very interesting old Irish town, which has a 
memorable history, and onr friends were very 
much interested in visiting it. The place has 
about thirty thousand inhabitants ; the streets 
remind one of the middle ages ; the houses are 
peculiar and odd, the citizens seem like a dif- 
ferent race ; and every aspect of the place is 
interesting and unfamiliar. 

Having left their carpet bags at the inn, they 
went out to see the town. On passing along, 
they noticed, not far from the centre of the 
place, a huge square tower, and on inquiry, 
were told that it was " Magdalen's Steeple.'' It 
is a very high, venerable tower, in which the bats 
have made their abode, and which looks as if it 
might soon tumble to the ground. When it was 
built, no one can tell. The church of which it 
was once the tower fell down four hundred years 
ago, and this memorial of it still bears the pelt- 
ing of the storms, and feels from year to year 
the crumbling hand of time passing over it. 

The children were much amused in visiting 



202 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

some of the cabins of the poor people, and we 
give Walter's idea of them in an extract from 
his journal. 

Drogheda. 

After viewing " Magdalen's Steeple," we went 
to see some of the houses of the poor people on 
the outskirts of the town. As one of them will 
answer for a description of the whole, I will 
write it out in my journal. We went into the 
one I am about to describe, and found it occu- 
pied by an elderly woman, her son, and daugh- 
ter. The building was not one of the poorest 
kind, which are generally built of turf, but was 
of a better class, built of rough stone, unhewn, 
and without any claim to taste or elegance. 
The stone walls were whitewashed within and 
without. The building was an oblong, thirty 
feet long, and fifteen feet wide. The roof was 
thatched with straw, the thatching being about 
one foot thick . The straw is carefully laid upon 
small poles which serve for rafters, and will last 
six or eight years. 

The interior of the house was divided into two 
apartments by a curtain about eight feet high, 
thus making two rooms about fifteen feet square. 
The windows were fixed in the stonework, and 
could not be moved. The glass was about five 



MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 203 

inches square, and the whole window about 
eighteen inches square. The floor was the bare 
ground, beaten hard, cold and damp. The 
chimney and fireplace were at one end, built of 
stone and clay, a mere rough pile to hold the 
fire and conduct the smoke into the outer re- 
gion. A loom for the manufacture of Irish 
linen was in one room, and the young woman 
was at work upon it. The adornments of the 
cabin were very few ; the women were barefoot ; 
the whole aspect of the house cheerless and 
dreary, much resembling the cells of a prison. 
And yet every thing was neat and tidy, and the 
people seemed to be quite happy. The old lady 
received us very kindly, and answered the ques- 
tions we asked with much intelligence, and was 
much gratified with our visit. 

When she found we were Americans, she said, 
" Then you know my sister's boy, Mike O'Brien, 
who lives over there." 

Father told her he had never seen him, at 
which she seemed surprised, exclaiming, — 

" What, you come from America, and never 
saw Mike O'Brien ! " 

" Where does he live ? " asked father. 

" In Wisconsin, sure." 

We told her that we lived a great distance 
from Wisconsin, and that we never had been 



201 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

there ; but she could not comprehend the vast- 
ness of our country. 

The town of Drogheda has a solemn and fear- 
ful history. It held out for a long time against 
Cromwell, who poured his vengeance out upon 
it until the streets ran with blood. September 
3, 1649, he encamped on the neighboring hills, 
and began to fortify them. Within the town 
the brave Ormond had placed his choicest sol- 
diers and his heaviest cannon, and deemed his 
defences impregnable. For six clays did the 
Protector fortify the distant hills, and at the end 
of that time hoisted his red flag, and poured his 
iron rain upon the doomed place beneath him. 
The siege continued until Drogheda was one 
vast pile of ruins, one general receptacle of 
death. The streets flowed with blood ; calls for 
mercy were heard in vain ; hundreds, driven 
into the churches, were burned there, and in the 
houses were heard sounds of lamentation and 
sorrow. So dreadful was the massacre, and so 
deep the rivers of blood, that all Ireland was 
overwhelmed with consternation. C.omwell 
seemed to be writing his edicts in great letters 
of blood, and the cold chill of horror ran through 
the whole land. 

From Drogheda, our friends made an excur- 



MAYNOOTH AND DROGHEDA. 205 

sion out to the field where was fought the battle 
of the Boy no ; and Walter listened with much 
interest as his father described the battle which 
was fought in 1690 by the armies of James II. 
and William III. 

" Which was victorious ? " he asked. 

" William gained the day." 

" And what became of James ? " 

" His army was routed, and he fled into Eng- 
land." 

Mr. Percy explained the relations which ex- 
isted between these two warriors, and the 
causes which induced them to fight with each 
other ; and every young reader will find it in- 
teresting to turn to the history of those times, 
and read what is written of the battle of the 
Boyne. 

The party left Droghecla for Belfast, stopping 
at Dundalk, Newry, Armagh, and several other 
interesting towns, on the way, in each of which 
they saw something new, and became better 
acquainted with the Irish people. 



206 THE PERCY FAMILY 



Chapter XI. 

GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 

"T)ELFAST! passengers for Belfast stop 
J-J here ! " shouted the conductor as the train 
stopped in the station house of that city. 

The party at once sought lodgings, and then 
made arrangements at once to visit that interest- 
ing natural phenomenon, the Giant's Causeway, 
on the north coast of Ireland, and the rugged 
scenery of Donegal and Antrim. They took a 
janting car, and pursued the road along the 
coast, by the Lough of Belfast, with the heaving 
sea in view much of the distance. After riding 
through a country beautifully picturesque, they 
reached the Causeway, pictures of which Walter 
had often seen. 

They found many persons waiting and desir- 
ing to act as guides, each professing to be better 
acquainted with the seenery than the others. 
The privilege of selecting a guide from all these 
was left to Walter, who ran his eye over the 
crowd, and with considerable intuitive discern- 
ment, made choice of a lad a few years older 



GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 207 

than himself, with a bright eye, and a garb pe- 
culiar to his class. He may be seen in the ac- 
companying engraving, with Walter's umbrella 
and Minnie's cloak, standing at the Giant's 
Well. 




THE GUIDE AT GIANT S WELL. 



This guide led them forth to the Pleaskin, the 
Grand Causeway, which consists of a very curi- 
ous combination of crystallized rocks, which are 
thus described : — 

" These remarkable specimens of nature's 



208 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

handiwork are of unequal height and breadth. 
They rise up from the strand to a height of 
about twenty feet, gradually receding to the 
water ; though how far seaward this arrangement 
extends is very uncertain. This grand assem- 
blage of basaltic pillars extends for a consider- 
able distance along the shore ; sometimes like a 
vast pile congregated together, as in the Grand 
Causeway ; sometimes taking the shape of iso- 
lated masses of broken, disjointed rocks scattered 
along the beach ; sometimes assuming the ap- 
pearance of regular geological strata in the ex- 
posed face of the cliff, as in that remarkable 
natural curiosity, the ' Giant's Organ ; ' and 
sometimes becoming part of the rugged moun- 
tainous coast itself, as in the headland known as 
the ' Chimney Tops.' But in whatever part of 
the coast these basaltic pillars appear, they have 
all two peculiarities — their almost uniform pen- 
tagonal figure, and the singular manner in which 
the separate pieces of each column are jointed 
together. In no cases do the columns seem to 
consist of single solid blocks, but are composed 
of a number of short lengths, one on the top of 
the other, like layers of masonry. But instead 
of possessing flat surfaces, the ends of each 
length are articulated one into the other like a 
ball and socket, in the same way as is observable 



in the vertebrae of some of the larger kinds of 
fishes — the one end of the joint having a cavity 
into which the convex end of the opposite ex- 
actly fits. The deptli of this concavity or con- 
vexity is generally about three or four inches ; 
and it is peculiar that the joint, instead of being 
conformable to the external angular figure of 
the block, is exactly round, and as large as the 
diameter of the column will admit ; conse- 
quently, as the angles of these columns are in 
general very unequal, the circular edges of the 
joints are seldom coincident with more than two 
or three sides of the pentagon, and are, from the 
edge of the circular part of the joint to the ex- 
terior sides and angles, quite plain. The articu- 
lations of these joints are frequently inverted, in 
some of them the concavity being upwards, and 
in others the reverse. This occasions that 
variety and mixture of concavities and convexi- 
ties on the tops of the columns which is obser- 
vable throughout the platform of this Causeway 
without any discoverable design or regularity 
with respect to the number of either." 

The effect of this view upon our travellers was 
impressive, and they stood, for a long time, view- 
ing the wonderful work of God. 

" These rocks look like chimneys," said 
Minnie. 

VOL. I. 14 



210 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Very much so," replied Mr. Tenant. 

" They are sometimes mistaken for chimneys," 
said the guide, who told them that on one occa- 
sion a Spanish ship mistook them for the towers 
and chimneys of Dunluce Castle, which is near 
by, and wasted considerable ammunition by firing 
into them. 




giant's gateway. 



Minnie laughed heartily at this mistake. 

The party then went through the Giant's 
Gateway, a view of which is given in the en- 
graving. 



GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 2ll 

" This is the way the giants used to enter the 
Causeway," said the guide. 

" You do not mean that giants ever lived here ; 
do you ? " asked Minnie. 

" Who, then, could have formed this Gate- 
way ? " 

" The great God," replied the child. 

The guide then took them to the " Lady's 
Chair," which he said was used by the queen of 
the giants. 

" She must have been a large woman," said 
Walter. 

" Giants usually are large," replied the guide. 

" She must have loved a hard seat," said 
Minnie. 

This Chair consists of a number of huge 
basaltic stones put together, forming a mammoth 
chair, or seat ; and when Walter saw it, it was 
overhung with beautiful vines, and decorated 
with humble flowers, that found a place to grow 
between the stones, and bore a striking resem- 
blance to a huge chair, worthy of a giantess. 

The Giant's Well is partly natural, and partly 
artificial, and the water is pure and pleasant to 
the taste. A distinguished visitor to the spot 
says, " The only person I observed on the Cause- 
way, when I descended, was an old woman sitting 
by the spring of fresh water, with a whiskey 



212 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

bottle and glasses to mix that national spirit 
with the pure spring, and render it more palat- 
able to her customers. On returning from my 
ramble, however, I perceived a young lady, in a 
riding habit, sitting down by the side of the 
fountain, waiting the return of some gentlemen 
who were examining the Causeway ; the sight of 
whom, in this lonely spot, I am free to confess, 
drove all the pentagons and hexagons out of my 
head ; and to escape from the chance of its be- 
ing filled with something else, I was ungallant 
enough to take an abrupt departure." 

" Do you not suppose this Causeway was 
formed by human hands ? " asked Walter of 
his father, as they wandered from point to 
point. 

" No, my son, there is no chance for such a 
supposition." 

" Why not, father ? " 

" Because, in the first place, there could be no 
conceivable object for such a structure ; and 
second, because the rocks are so dissimilar, and 
are so unlike what man would form, that the 
idea can hardly be seriously entertained for a 
moment." 

" But look at the regularity of the stones, as 
they lie together ; that indicates art." 

" At the first glance it looks like it ; but if 



GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 213 

these pillars were made from a pattern, they 

would bear a more striking likeness to each 

other." 

" Do they not all look alike ? " 

" Yes, just as the leaves are alike in general 

construction, but endlessly diverse ; just as all 

human faces are alike, but all of them possessed 

of an individual identity." 
" I understand." 
" Notice, Walter, that all these pieces of stone 

are so different, that they could not be worked 

from any one pattern." 

" Yes, but is there no other reason ? " 

" Several I might mention. The extent of 

these hexagonal, octagonal, pentagonal, and non- 

agonal, found all along the coast of Antrim and 

Donegal, shows that they were cast up by Nature 

in some one of her freaks." 

" Well, father, you must explain those hard 

words you have just used. I do not understand 

them," said Minnie. 

" What words, my daughter ? " 

" Why, hexagonal — what is that ? " 

" Hexagonal, my child, means having six sides 

and angles, as you see some of these stones 

have." 

" What are the octagonal stones ? " 
" Those having eight sides and angles." 



214 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" And how many angles have the pentagon 
nal ? " 

" Five." 

" And what are the — the nonagonal, I be- 
lieve you called it ? " 

" Those that have nine sides and angles." 

The guide secured a six-oared row boat, and 
took the party out upon the water, where they 
could have a very fine view of the whole Cause- 
way ; and as they rowed about, Walter opened 
his guide book, and read aloud the following tes- 
timony to the effect produced upon the mind by 
looking upon this grand natural wonder : " What 
shall I say of the Causeway ? " inquires Lord 
John Manners. " There are three promontories 
running into the sea on a level with the waves, 
or nearly so, composed of upright blocks of 
stone, each, it may be, a yard in circumference, 
hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, and one or 
two nonagonal in shape ; some of the cliffs, too, 
are fluted in this manner, with columns thirty 
feet high, resembling, at a little distance, the 
pipes of an organ. A very steep and narrow 
track took us from the Causeway to the summit 
of the cliffs — an ascent of about three hundred 
feet, and a walk of a couple of miles along their 
edge to the Pleaskin Rock. It rained furiously, 
so that it was only now and then we could obtain 



GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 215 

a fair view of the dark creeks, and bold rocks, 
and strange formations of whinstone, which 
diversify this mysterious coast." 

" How fortunate we are that we have not a 
rainy day now ! " said Minnie. 

" We shall get from the water here the favor- 
ite view of travellers — the sunset view." 

" Is that a better view than any other ? " asked 
Walter. 

" It is said to be so ; and travellers, who have 
time to do so, tarry, and behold these huge rocks, 
towers, and chimneys, lighted up and gilded by 
the last rays of the descending sun." 

" We shall soon test it, for the sun is descend- 
ing fast." 

" See, father," cried Minnie, " how red the 
western sky looks. 0, how beautiful the colors 
that glow, and change, and disappear." 

Walter, and the whole company, turned to- 
wards the west, and all admired the gorgeous 
drapery that old Sol had wrapped about his 
royal person as he retired to rest ; and they sat 
silent in their boat, waiting for the beams to 
strike the pinnacles above them. 

And they waited not long, for the sun, like a 
great red orb, went rolling down behind the 
hills, flinging its parting beams on the Cause- 
way, gorgeously lighting and shading its pinna- 



216 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

cles, and bringing out the bold outlines of the 
countless columns : and the children shouted 
with joy as they witnessed the changing aspects 
of the dwelling place of the giants ; and as they 
rowed rapidly to the shore, Walter repeated, 
from memory, the lines of one of our poets, 
written after viewing this wonderful mass of 
pillared stone : — 

" Dark o'er the foam-white waves, 
The Giant's Pier the war of tempests braves — 
A far-projecting, firm, basaltic way 
Of clustering columns wedged in dense array ; 
With skill so like, yet so surpassing art, 
With such design, so just in every part, 
That reason pauses, doubtful if it stand 
The work of mortal or immortal hand." 

That night they found lodgings at the village 
of Ballinatoy, at an inn, where several parties, 
who, like themselves, had come to visit the 
Causeway, had taken refuge. Walter sought the 
public room, where were villagers, guides, and 
strangers, talking about the Causeway, and re- 
lating to each other the fables and legends con- 
nected with the place. 

He was told that, a year before, a young 
American lady had seated herself in the Lady's 
Chair, and remained so long that she took a 
violent cold, and came back to this hotel, sick- 



GLANCES AT GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. 217 

ened, and died. The superstitious people in the 
vicinity believe that in some way she offended 
the spirit of the giants, who still hover around 
the ruins of their ancient home, and that they 
smote her with death. 

A guide also related to him the story of a 
young lady, who, several years ago, climbed out 
upon these rocks to get a leaf that was growing 
in a crevice of the ledge, when the basaltic 
stones beneath her feet became disturbed, and 
she was plunged down the cliff, and taken up by 
her friends a lifeless form. 

As the evening advanced, the weary party 
sought repose, and soon the children were 
asleep, dreaming of giants, castles, and banditti, 
living over in sleep the events and legends of 
the day. 



218 THE PERCY FAMILY 



Chapter XII. 

DTJNLUCE CASTLE. 

DING — dong — ding ! Ding — dong — 
ding ! 

" What is that ? " shouted Minnie to Walter, 
running from her little bedroom into the cham- 
ber where her brother slept. 

" What is it ? Why, breakfast time, to be 
sure.' , 

" Then this is the first time we have heard a 
bell ring for breakfast. I thought they had no 
public table." 

" You thought ! " 

" Yes, I thought, and believe I am right, 
though it sounds much like our bell at home." 

"You will find the bell to be a call to the 
breakfast table." 

At this moment Mr. Percy entered Walter's 
room, and once more the children both asked, 
" What was that bell for ? " 

" It was rung for the passengers who are 
going to Belfast in a stage that is about start- 
ing to get ready." 



Dunluce castle. 219 

" Do we go in it ? " asked Minnie. 

"No, my daughter." 

" 0, why not ! I love to go in a crowd." 

" Because we are not ready to go. We have 
had no breakfast, and your toilet is not com- 
pleted ; and then we go to Dunluce Castle to-* 
day." 

The crack of the driver's whip, the rumbling 
of wheels, the shout of the passengers, an 
nounced that the stage had started." 

After breakfast, in a janting car our friends 
rode out to Dunluce Castle. The ride was a 
short one, and intensely interesting ; and all 
were sorry when the old frowning towers 
were reached, so much did they admire the 
scenery of the shore road along which they trav- 
elled. 

Dunluce Castle is rather a remarkable struc- 
ture, which has been well described as " the 
grandest, romantickest, awfullest sea-king's cas- 
tle in broad Europe. It stands on a great ledge 
of a cliff, separated from, rather than joined to, the 
main land by the narrowest of natural bridges, 
and overhangs the sea — that dark, chilling, 
northern sea — so perpendicularly, that how the 
towers and wall on the seaside were built I can- 
not divine : what numbers of masons and build- 
ers must have fallen into that gloomy sea before 



220 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the last loophole was pierced ! The landward 
scenery, in spite of good roads and modern 
improvements, is dreary enough now ; what it 
must have been when those grim halls were first 
inhabited by Ulster chieftains, who can guess ? 
There is no castle on the Rhine, or the Loire, 
or the Seine, or any where else that I know of, 
that can be compared with Dunluce for desolate, 
awe-inspiring grandeur." 

The travellers crossed a narrow rock which 
serves for a bridge, and entered the gloomy cas- 
tle. They were met by a porter who conducted 
them through it. What pleased Walter most 
was tne fine views obtained from the lofty tow- 
ers. But Minnie was most interested in some 
wild tales which the porter related as they went 
from room to room. " Here," said he, " in this 
apartment, sickened and died a beautiful and 
gifted lady, who was brought here by the former 
lord of the castle." 

" Please tell me about her," cried Minnie. 

" Be patient, little lady, and I will." 

" Patience is not a virtue when I want to hear 
a story," laughingly replied the little girl. 

The guide went on with his tale. He told 
them that many years ago the lord of this castle 
became enamoured of a beautiful woman, who 
lived about one hundred miles away. She did 



DUNLUCE CASTLE. 221 

not favor his suit, and gave her hand to another. 
But the knight, enraged at his want of success, 
gathered a number of faithful servants, and 
coming at night upon the castle where she lived, 
took her away, and brought her to Dunluce 
Castle. The costliest docorations and the most 
beautiful furniture were used for her chamber, 
and every attention was paid to her wants ; but 
in a few weeks, finding escape impossible, she 
sickened, and one morning, when the knight 
came to press his suit, he found the lady on her 
knees, her hands clasped, and her eyes fixed 
upon a crucifix before her. Supposing she was 
at her devotions, and not wishing to disturb her, 
he returned. In an hour he came again, and 
found her still on her knees. He touched her, 
and she moved not, answered not. He bent 
down, and looked in her pale but still beautiful 
face, and started back with horror. She was 
dead." 

" Dead ! " exclaimed Minnie. 
" Yes, her spirit had fled from earth." 
" What did they do with the wicked man ? " 
" Nothing at all. The state of society was 
very different then from now, and he was a man 
of great power." 

" Well, what else about it ? " 

" 0, nothing ; only \t is supposed that the 



222 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

spirit of this lady sometimes visits this room at 
night, and " 

" 0, what nonsense ! It seems as if the people 
of this country believed in nothing but ghosts 
and hobgoblins." 

" I was telling you what some suppose, and 
what not a few seriously believe." 

" I am glad," said Mr. Percy, " that my 
daughter discredits all such stories. They are 
absurd and very ridiculous, and are only fit to 
be laughed at and scorned." 

The whole company were delighted with the 
romantic scenery in the vicinity of the castle, 
rendered interesting by the huge masses of ba- 
saltic rock, which can be seen in all directions ; 
and the whole day was spent in looking over the 
grounds, and wandering about the castle. Wal- 
ter scratched his name on one of the stones of 
the tower, nearly spoiling a new knife in doing 
it ; and doubtless whoever visits the castle in 
future will be able to find it : — 

WALTER PERCY. 
ANNO DOMINI MDCCCLVIII. 

On returning to Belfast, Walter wrote a 
description of his visit to the Giant's Cause- 
way, and sent it to Charlie. It read as fol- 
lows : — 



DUNLUCE CASTLE. 223 

Brother Charlie : — 

You remember to have seen in some of your 
books a picture of the Giant's Causeway, a re- 
markable object of interest in the north of Ire- 
land. Well, your sister Minnie and myself have 
been to visit it, and a wonderful place it is. A 
beautiful lad, little older than I am, was our 
guide, and we paid him for his services two days, 
three dollars. He wore a little red knit cap, a 
light velvet jacket, and looked trim and neat, 
as he ran on before us, or turned, his face all 
glowing with smiles, to point out the objects of 
interest. 

I cannot tell you all we saw, the objects were 
so numerous. The guide took us to the Lady's 
Chair, in which the giant's wife used to sit; 
to the well of which the giants drank ; to the 
mighty Causeway itself, a natural wonder, such 
as you never saw. 

With all these objects Minnie as well as my- 
self were delighted, and father allowed us to 
purchase several fine views of the Causeway 
and Dunluce Castle, which is near by, and we 
shall bring them home for you to look at, though 
you are such a little boy that we do not expect 
you will be as much interested in them as you 
are in your new rocking horse. 

Father says that when you become a large 



224 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

boy he will take you across the ocean to see the 
very objects we have visited to-day. Then you 
will be able to understand and enjoy them as 
we do now. 

And now, Charlie, I hope you take good care 
of Rover ; give him enough to eat, and do not 
play too hard with him. Do not get into any 
mischief yourself, and be a very good boy, and 
when we return we will tell you all we have 
seen. I shall be delighted to sit down evenings 
in our happy home in Cambridge, and tell you 
all about the places we have visited, the people 
with whom we have conversed, and the incidents 
with which we have met. 

It is now ten o'clock, and father says I must 
retire ; and so I bid you good night. 

Walter. 

Walter sealed his letter, put the postage 
stamps upon it, and neatly directed it to his 
brother, and handed it to the porter to be car- 
ried to the post office the next morning ; and 
then, weary and exhausted with the hard day's 
work, went to his bed and fell asleep. 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 



225 



Chapter XIII. 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 



BELFAST has been called the "Athens of 
Ireland," but onr friends saw nothing there 
to indicate that this appellation was well de- 
served. Only one day could they spend there, 
and that was to be crowded full of work. Early 
in the morning, before business men were astir, 
the whole party left the hotel, and went first to 
the railway station where the baggage was left, 
ready to be taken in the afternoon. Reference 
has already been made to the admirable system 
for the preservation of small bundles that may 
be left at the depot. On this occasion, Walter 

had his carpet bag, 
raglan, and umbrella, 
which he tied in one 
bundle, and paying a 
halfpenny, or one cent, 
he gave it to the bag- 
gage master, who put 
upon it a check like 
this, and gave him a 



ULSTER RAILWAY. 




LUGGAGE LABEL. 

ONE HALFPENNY. 

15506. 



VOL. I. 



15 



226 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

corresponding ticket, that there might be no 
mistake about it when he returned. However 
small or trivial the article, it was carefully 
placed where the keeper could lay his hand 
upon it, and as Walter looked into his room he 
saw that he had a large framework with various 
compartments, each compartment for articles la- 
belled between certain numbers, and he also 
noticed that there were hundreds of articles on 
deposit. 

" There are several objects of interest in Bel- 
fast, and which shall we take first ? " asked Mr. 
Percy, as they again entered the carriage, after 
leaving their luggage at the station house. 

" I propose," said Mr. Tenant, " that we make 
a visit to the extensive linen works. I have let- 
ters to the proprietors of some of these estab- 
lishments, and as we have seen none of them, 
the change may be agreeable." 

" Certainly," replied Mr. Percy ; " let us go." 

" But what do Minnie and Walter say ? " 
asked Mr. Tenant ; " we make them equal part- 
ners, and give them equal voices with us, on 
this tour." 

" We should acquiesce in your plans, Mr. 
Tenant, of course, whatever our opinion might 
be ; but preference would lead me the same way 
with you this morning. I would like to see the 
mills." 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 227 

" So should I," added Minnie. " I have seen 
the mills of Lowell, Lawrence, and Holyoke, 
and I should like to know if the operatives are 
as nice looking, well dressed, and well behaved 
as those in America." 

They drove then to the York Street Flax- 
spinning Company's works, to the proprietors 
of which Mr. Tenant had letters of introduction. 
This establishment employs about three hun- 
dred men and twelve hundred girls, and they 
are engaged in the manufacture of Irish linen. 
These factories are not carried on, as in our 
country, by corporate companies composed of a 
large number of small stockholders, but by a 
few wealthy men, and often by a single indi- 
vidual who has amassed immense wealth. 

Walter noticed that the outside of this mill 
was dingy and dirty, the bricks were of a very 
poor quality, and covered and begrimed with 
smoke and coal dust, and looked very different 
from the bright-red brick factories of our own 
manufacturing cities. He also called the atten- 
tion of Minnie to the fact that many of the oper- 
atives were very young, mere children, who had 
been placed at the loom long before they were 
able to endure the fatigue of a hard day's work. 

The inside of the mill was of unfinished brick 
or stone ; the walls, floors, stairs, all of one or 



228 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

the other of these materials ; very little wood- 
work was seen, except in the window frames, 
the doors, and in the machinery. The floors 
were oily, the walls covered with dust, and the 
operatives would bear no comparison with that 
industrious, cheerful, and intelligent class of 
our own population. They were very poorly 
dressed, dirty, and generally barefoot. And yet 
there were some respects in which the gentle- 
men thought the establishment excelled those 
at home ; but the children thought the difference 
was all in favor of our own factories. 

Walter was pleased with the huge engine that 
moved all these spindles, and kept all these 
men, women, and children employed ; and as 
they stood gazing at it from a little gallery 
erected for the purpose, the gentleman who con- 
ducted them through, asked the children, " How 
many horse power do you suppose this engine 
has ? " 

" Horse power ! What is that ? " asked Minnie. 

" Why," replied the gentleman, " when an 
engine will do a given amount of work, we say 
it has so much horse power." 

" How is the estimate made ? " asked Walter. 

" What do you mean ? " 

" Why, how much is one horse power ? " 

" Mr. James Watt estimates that " 



A DAY IN BELFAST* 229 

" Who is James Watt ? " interrupted Minnie. 

" He was a Scotch mathematician, who did 
much to improve steam engines, and who, 
though born poor, the son of a tradesman, be- 
came a very eminent man, and received high 
honorary titles from the University of Glasgow, 
and died in the year 1819." 

" But as to the horse power ? " queried Walter. 

" Yes, as I was saying when the little girl in- 
terrupted me, Watt estimates that a horse will 
raise thirty two thousand pounds one foot per 
minute." 

" Then that is called one horse power." 

"Yes." 

" And how much power has this engine ? " 

" How many horse power should you think it 
was, from the looks of it, and from the work you 
see it doing ? " 

" Let me guess," said Minnie. 

" Guess is a word we do not use in Ireland ; 
that is a Yankee word." 

" Well, I think the engine is about seventy- 
five horse power." 

" What does the young master here think it 



is : 



? » 



" I think it must be more than that," replied 
Walter ; " perhaps about one hundred and 
twenty-five horse power." 



230 THE PEECY FAMILY. 

" You both fall below the reality ; it is esti- 
mated at one hundred and sixty horse power." 

" Then this engine would raise, one foot per 
minute, a weight equal to five million one hun- 
dred and twenty thousand pounds." 

" Yes, that will answer for a general esti- 
mate-" 

The children were much pleased, and Minnie, 
as she left the gallery, said, — 

" I have a new idea." 

" What is it, sis ? " asked Walter. 

" Why, about this horse power. I never un- 
derstood it before. I have heard it said that 
steam engines had such an amount of horse 
power, but never knew what it meant." 

" Where do the operatives live ? " asked Wal- 
ter of his father. 

" All about the place, I suppose." 

" Do they not have boarding houses, like 
operatives in our country ? " 

" No." 

" Why not ? " 

" Because that is not a part of the system." 

" That feature of the American manufactur- 
ing life," added Mr. Tenant, " is one of the best 
ideas of our system. Among us, long brick 
edifices are erected, which have all the outward, 
and many of the internal, evidences of luxury 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 231 

and ease. Operatives at night are not driven 
away to rude and wretched tenements, where 
poverty and filth rule and ruin, or to the den 
of infamy, or to the street, but have a comfort- 
able home provided. Here each girl boards her- 
self where best she can ; and consequently many 
of them scarcely live at all. When they are 
sick, no care is taken of them ; and they die un- 
cared for and unmournecl. Vice must be the 
product of such an arrangement ; and we have 
no reason to be astonished when we are told 
that many leave the path of rectitude and virtue, 
and sink into the depth of ruin. One of the 
wisest and most humane provisions for the com- 
fort and safety of operatives in our American 
towns is found in the neat, spacious, and even 
elegant boarding houses, in the kind and mater- 
nal care exercised by the women who have the 
charge of them, and the wise rules which are 
adopted by the corporations to secure the neces- 
sary ends of order and good behavior." 

Thus conversing, they reentered their car- 
riage, and drove from the factory, to visit other 
objects of interest. And the first place they 
went to was Queen's College, a finely located 
structure on high ground, overlooking the city. 
This college was opened and inaugurated in the 
year 1849, and is a very creditable institution. 



232 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The buildings cost one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars, and are quite elegant and im- 
posing in their appearance, being built of red 
brick, with brown stone facings. The whole 
structure is six hundred feet long. The library 
has twelve thousand volumes. The museum of 
natural history is quite extensive, and its gen- 
eral arrangements are very excellent. It is 
named in honor of her majesty Queen Victoria, 
and is very prosperous. 

It was vacation time, and Minnie did not see 
the students. They had gone to their homes, 
and the old janitor alone received the visitors. 
This college has a large central tower, and from 
its top a wide country can be seen. As the 
party stood there, Minnie asked, — 

" What river is that I see, father ? " 

" The Lagan, my child." 

" And what county are we now in ? " 

" Antrim." 

" Is Belfast as large as Dublin ? " 

" Nearly so ; it is the second city in Ire- 
land ? " 

They stood a long time on this tower, looking 
out upon the city, which was spread out beauti- 
fully before them, and upon the surrounding 
country, which stretched away into obscure dis- 
tance. 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 233 

As they came down from the tower, Minnie 
asked Mr. Tenant why the city was called " Bel- 
fast." She wanted to know whence the word 
was derived. 

" I do not know," replied Mr. Tenant, " any 
thing about it ; but this little guide book says 
that the name comes from Beal-na-far-sad, which 
in Irish means the mouth of the ford." 

" But where is the ford ? " 

" Why, the town lies at the confluence of the 
Lagan and the Belfast Lough." 

" Why do you call that sheet of water a 
' lough ' ? " 

" That is the Irish name for lake. In Scot- 
land they would call it a ' loch.' " 

On leaving the college, the party repaired to 
the botanical gardens, near by, a charming spot, 
running down to the banks of the river. Here 
they saw all the usual things connected with 
such a place, and spent an hour delightfully in 
visiting the conservatories, and wandering 
through the grounds. The taste displayed, the 
fine scenery, and the delightful views, made the 
visit a very pleasant one. 

Visits to the custom house, museums, ceme- 
teries, and other places of public interest, occu- 
pied the day, the last hour of which was spent 
in a fine ride about the place, from street to 



234 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

street. The ride furnished Mr. Percy a good op- 
portunity to give his children many interesting 
facts in relation to the history of the city. Walter 
had many questions which he wished to ask, 
and Minnie had comments to make on all she 
saw. 

" The first Bible ever printed in Ireland was 
printed in Belfast," remarked Mr. Tenant. 

" When was that ? " asked Walter. 

" In 1704." 

" What is the principal business of the 
place ? " 

" The flax spinning is an important branch." 

" But are there not other manufactures ? " 

" Yes, cotton and damask are manufactured 
here in large quantities." 

While Walter was getting at facts in relation 
to the business and history of Belfast, Minnie 
was quietly watching the handsome carriages 
that went dashing by, with drivers having pow- 
dered wigs, and footmen with gay velvet coats, 
and all the appendages of wealth and state. 

" Are these the carriages of the nobility ? " 
she asked. 

" Yes, of the aristocratic people who live 
here," replied her father. 

" I would like to be an aristocrat," added the 
little girl, enthusiastically. " There is some- 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 235 

tiling so pleasant in the idea of being so rich, 
having so many servants, and living so easy." 

" But some of the nobility of Great Britain 
are impoverished, and have exhausted their 
estates, and all that is left to them is an empty 
title." 

" But these here must be wealthy." 

" You do not know as the people in these 
carriages are noble. They may be the wives 
and children of rich manufacturers, or mer- 
chants, many of whom in this country are more 
wealthy than the titled lords. Besides, having 
so many servants to take care of, only makes 
slaves of those who support them. The more 
simple we live, the more happy we are." 

" But men do not think so." 

" True, they do not ; but it has been proved, 
conclusively, that many servants and much 
money only weary and sadden the heart." 

" I remember to have read," said Mr. Tenant, 
" that an ancient queen sent to Alexander the 
Great, two cooks ; but the monarch sent them 
back, saying he had two cooks that were better 
than any she could send him ; and when he was 
asked who they were, he replied, Encrateia 
(temperance) and Askesis (exercise), and he 
did not wish to part with them in exchange for 
those sent by the queen." 



236 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

The children both laughed, but Minnie did not 
wish to give up her argument so she added, — 

" The ancient ancestry is something honor- 
able at least ; and to be connected with people 
who trace their way back through earls, dukes, 
and lords, is very ennobling." 

" But, Minnie," said Mr. Percy, " you must 
remember that some of these nobles descended 
from poor, unlearned people, and their nobility 
is but a few years old." 

" Can you tell me of some such ? " 

" Yes, I might mention several of the dead 
and living nobles of England, those who had 
the largest titles and the most honored names, 
who descended from a plebeian stock." 

" What is plebeian ? " 

" It comes from a Latin word, plebeius, and 
refers to the common people. A plebeian is a 
common, undistinguished man." 

" And now tell me of a case." 

" I have one on my mind to the point. In 
the troublous times of Charles I., a poor, unedu- 
cated country girl went to London in search of 
a place ; and after various vicissitudes, hired 
herself to a wealthy brewer as a ' tub-woman/ 
to " 

" Pray what is a tub-woman ? " 

" A tub-woman is a person in a brewery to 



A DAY IN BELFAST. 237 

attend to some menial services, just what, I do 
not know, as I feel little interest is such estab- 
lishments." 

" And what of the woman ? " 

" For a time she continued at her employment, 
doing the hard work, when her master, wanting 
a house servant, and being pleased with her neat, 
tidy appearance, took her into the family. He 
had no wife, and after observing the good beha- 
vior of this girl, lie married her. Soon after the 
marriage he died, leaving his fortune to his 
widow. This fortune was very large, and the 
heir-by-will, wanting some one to settle the 
estate and counsel witli her, applied to Edward 
Hyde, an eminent lawyer, and retained him for 
this purpose. Hyde saw that the widow was 
young, fair, and rich, proposed himself to her in 
marriage, and became her husband. They had 
born unto them a daughter, Anne, who privately 
married the Duke of York, brother to Charles 
II. Of this marriage came two daughters, Mary 
and Anne, both of whom ascended the British 
throne ; so that the mother of the wife of James 
H., and the grandmother of Mary and Anne, 
queens of England, was only a tub-woman in a 
London brewery." 

" But, pa, this case is an extreme one." 

" Perhaps so, dear, but it illustrates the fact 



238 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

with which I started, that trace ancestry back, 
and sooner or later it will be lost in an inglorious 
obscurity." 

"And yet the people take much pride in their 
ancestry." 

" Certainly they do ; and wherever you go in 
England, you will see evidences of this. You 
will see engraved shields and crests, coats of 
arms, and all the insignia of an illustrious 
parentage." 

" We never see these things at home ; why 
not ? " 

" Because our institutions do not tend to fos- 
ter such a pride. We take men for what they 
are worth, not for what their sires or grandsires 
were worth." 

" This is doubtless so ; and yet there is some- 
thing so imposing in the English aristocracy that 
one cannot help being pleased with it." 

" True, and the nearer you get to the throne, 
the more you will see of this." 

This and similar conversation occupied the 
time of a long ride about Belfast, and as evening 
drew near, the whole company repaired, after 
securing their baggage, to the pier where they 
were to embark for Scotland. 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 239 



Chapter XIV. 

FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 

"THE Royal Mail Steamer Elk: seven 

J- o'clock," was on a placard hanging against 
the side of a beautiful steamer that rode easily 
at the pier in Belfast. 

" There she is, Minnie," shouted Walter. 

" There who is ? " 

" Why, the steamer that is to take us over to 
Scotland." 

They found it to be so, and at once deposited 
their carpet bags in their state rooms, and then 
took their seats on deck among a large company 
of people, who were, like themselves, about to 
cross the Channel. 

They had not been looking long before they 
saw several drays roll up to the vessel, and an 
immense quantity of nice butter and fresh eggs 
were brought on board. For an hour several 
strong men were tumbling the firkins and boxes 
on board, until tons of butter had been freighted. 
The butter looked very yellow and rich, and 



240 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Minnie declared she could make a supper of that 
alone, without bread. 

The eggs came on in baskets, and the children 
tried to estimate the number of dozens, but 
could not do it. They were large, clean, beauti- 
ful looking eggs, and were very suggestive to 
our travellers, who had not yet taken tea. 

" Where are these going ? " asked Walter of 
a good-natured looking Irishman, who was put- 
ting them away. 

" They go to Glasgow." 

" Your country must be very productive to 
furnish such quantities of butter and eggs to 
Scotland." 

" This is but a very small part of what we 
send away." 

" I presume not." 

" You see," remarked the man, " those steam- 
ers lying all along the dock ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

" Well, they are all loading with butter, 
cheese, eggs, and vegetables, to be carried out 
to-night. Some of these steamers go to Glas- 
gow, some to Liverpool, and some to other 
places." 

" Do they all carry things produced in Ire- 
land ? " 

" Yes, and similar steamers go from Dublin, 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 241 

Cork, and other Irish ports, all laden with the 
produce of Ireland." 

" Certainly, a country that can spare so much 
for her neighbors ought never to know any 
thing like want." 

" That is just the trouble ; the poor people of 
Ireland produce, and our richer neighbors eat. 
Ireland starves, while rich landholders send 
away the products of the soil." 

It was not long before Minnie discovered a 
large drove of cattle, sheep, and swine approach- 
ing the steamer ; and when they arrived, plank 
was laid from the wharf to the vessel, and the 
whole herd, bellowing, bleating, and squealing, 
was driven into the fore part of the steamer. 
As they ran, and jumped over, and pushed each 
other, the children were much amused with 
their frightened looks and singular appearance. 
Soon Walter found a practical farmer, who told 
him all about these cattle, their peculiar habits 
and races, in which he was much interested. He 
also met on board Mr. Howland, a neighbor of 
his father's, the editor of an agricultural paper 
in Boston, who was on his way to Scotland for 
the purpose of procuring cattle for propagation 
in this country. This gentleman entered at once 
into Walter's views, and being an accomplished 
and intelligent man, Walter derived from him 
VOL. i. 16 



242 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

much valuable information on subjects con- 
nected with agricultural life, in which he was 
interested ; and an hour or two, until the steamer 
started, was passed very pleasantly. 

The steamer did not start promptly at the 
time, but when she did, she rode out upon the 
river in gallant style. 

The Lagan was covered with boats, some with 
oars and some with sails, some huge and un- 
wieldy, some tiny and graceful, but all filled 
with men and women enjoying themselves in 
the closing day. Just below the city, which 
faded gradually from sight, they saw a sad spec- 
tacle. Several boats were dragging the river 
for a dead body. A lad had been drowned, and 
on the bank stood a crowd of friends, and just 
at the water's edge, with her hair dishevelled, 
her countenance distorted with grief, stood his 
mother. Just as the Elk, with her happy com- 
pany, went by, one of the grappling irons fas- 
tened in the clothes of the dead lad, and the 
children saw the men draw him into one of the 
boats, while the shrieks of his mother at the 
sight resounded far and wide over the waters. 
It was, indeed, a mournful spectacle, and a sad- 
ness spread over the passengers as they conversed 
about it. 

They left the Lagan, and were out upon the 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 243 

Lough of Belfast. Several other steamers were 
in sight, and until dark the scene was exhila- 
rating and exciting. Sometimes the Elk was 
ahead, and sometimes the others left her behind, 
and the passengers entered into the race with 
much enthusiasm. 

When the night came on, and darkness pre- 
vailed, our party went down into the saloon, 
where they were quite alone until the servants 
began to spread the table for supper. A light, 
fancy meal was served, which was hastily swal- 
lowed by the passengers, who rushed on deck at 
its conclusion, leaving Mr. Percy, the children, 
and Mr. Tenant conversing together. Walter 
soon got out his writing materials, and began to 
make his record of the day's labors. 

" Father," he said, " I want some facts in re- 
lation to Belfast. Can you give me any ? " 

" What facts, my son ? " 

" Any that it would be well for me to re- 
member." 

" Well, let me think ; there has not been a 
bank suspension here for a hundred years." 

" That is a good one — any other ? " 

" The first newspaper published in Belfast was 
in 1737." 

" Do you know the name ? " 

" The Belfast News Letter." 



244 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" Any other fact ? " 

" There are thirty-five steam mills for the 

manufacture of linen, and they employ about 

twenty thousand hands." 

" How many are employed in the whole of 

Ulster ? " 

" About three hundred thousand." 
" And how much do they make ? " 
" The whole value of the linen goods manu- 
factured in Ulster is about twenty millions of 

dollars." 

" Well, I have got that written down." 

" Some other facts I will give you at another 

time ; and now Minnie can retire, while you, 

my son, write a while." 

Minnie went to her state room, while Walter 

wrote on ; and we give a few extracts from his 

journal : — 

Irish Sea, 1859. 

I sit writing in the cabin of a steamer on the 
Irish Sea. The night has deepened over the 
waves, and we have left the shores of Ireland to 
return no more. I have often heard the country 
we have been visiting called by various names — 
sometimes Hibernia, sometimes Erin, and some^ 
times by other names. I have been trying to 
find out what these names mean, and I have 
found out. I find that Hibernia was the ancient 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 245 

name of Ireland, given to it by Julius Caesar, 
and borne by it for a long time. I think that 
Hibernia now would be a much prettier name 
than Ireland. 

I do not wonder the Irish entertain so much 
affection for their native country. The hills are 
so green, the valleys so beautiful, the rivers so 
free and joyous, that I do not wonder that the 
inhabitants look back with veneration and love 
to these old familiar scenes. I have travelled 
up and down the land from Shandon Steeple 
to Giant's Causeway, and find much more com- 
fort and intelligence than I expected, though 
the people are not like those in dear New Eng- 
land. 

We have had many pleasing incidents, one or 
two of which I must make a matter of record. 
One day, when we were in Drogheda, we met 
an old lady who had a donkey and some bas- 
kets. In one of the baskets were specimens of 
fruit, which she was selling. Her assortment 
was very small and very poor, and father told 
her so. 

" 0, we poor people cannot get what we would 
like to sell ; so we get what we can," she said. 

"But what have you in the other basket ? " 
asked father. 

" My things." 



246 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

Father picked out a few oranges, and some 
other fruit, and just as he was paying her for it, 
a great, rude lad came along with a dray, and 
ran roughly against the donkey, almost knocked 
him over, and completely overturned the bas- 
kets. 

A cry of terror arose from the woman, and a 
shrill, piercing shriek from the basket which the 
woman said contained " my things." Father 
sprang to the basket, and caught it up, saying, 
" Hallo ! what have you here ? " 

" 0, my poor, dear child — poor boy ! " ex- 
claimed the woman, as she caught the basket 
from father's hand, and took out her child, 
which was more frightened than hurt, having 
been so rudely awakened by the fall. 

The child was about two years old, and for a 
few minutes cried most lustily, while the woman 
made much more fuss than the baby. There 
soon gathered around us a large crowd of men, 
women, and boys ; some of whom looking on 
with pity, some inquiring what the matter was, 
some laughing rudely, and some uttering low 
remarks and jests. 

But at length the baby was picked up, and 
put into the basket again ; the fruit was gath- 
ered and replaced ; and father gave the woman 
two or three shillings, which was a sum larger 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 247 

than all her fruit was worth. At first the 
woman did not seem to comprehend that it was 
a gift ; but after the idea had dawned upon her, 
that she was indeed to receive all this money, 
which to her was a very large sum, she was pro- 
fuse in her thanks, showering her blessings upon 
us most lavishly. 

"God, and all the angels, and all — the — 
the prophets bless your lordship," she said. 

Minnie laughed at the idea of " lordship." 

Father replied, " That is blessing enough, good 
woman," and moved away; but she followed, 
saying, — 

" And may all the saints and martyrs bless 
you." 

" That is enough," persisted pa ; "go and sell 
your fruit now." 

But she followed, saying, " The Holy Virgin 
bless you." 

" We don't believe in the Virgin," said Mr. 
Tenant. 

" And sure, sir," she replied, " I don't mean 
the blessing for you ; ye gave me nothing in my 
trouble." 

As she turned away, we all laughed at 
Mr. Tenant, who had been outwitted by the 
woman's closing speech, she having bestowed 
her blessing only where she had been paid for 



248 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

it, as is often the case with people, not only in 
this land, but in our own. 

***** 

There was another incident, of a different 
character, which I must not forget. In the inn 
at Ballinatoy, where we lodged near the Cause- 
way, Minnie was put into a room occupied gen- 
erally by the son of the innkeeper. This room 
was some distance from those occupied by the 
rest of the party, and was given up to sister be- 
cause it was more comfortable for a young lady. 
Minnie retired to rest, and not being tired, soon 
fell asleep. How long she had slept, she could 
not tell ; but all at once she was awakened by a 
violent ringing in her room. To her startled 
ears it did not seem like a natural ringing, but 
had an unearthly sound. How long it continued 
she does not know, but it seemed half an hour 
to her. 

" Ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding. ,, 
" What does it mean ? " said Minnie, as the 
cold sweat started from her forehead. 

And still it went, " Ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding. " 
She raised herself in bed, and tried to dis- 
cover what part of the room the sound came 
from. At one time it seemed to be just over 
her head, and then it seemed to be in another 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 249 

part of the room ; now it appeared to be on one 
side, and then on the other. 

" What can it be ? " asked Minnie, anxiously, 
of herself. 

" Ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding." 

" What shall I do ? " 

" Ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding, ding-a-ding." 

While thus the poor girl listened in an agony 
of suspense, a loud sound was heard, as if a 
heavy kettle had been dashed upon the floor, 
and the ringing ceased. All was now still as 
death, and the ticking of the clock in the room, 
and Minnie's hard breathing, alone disturbed 
the solemn silence. For a long time she re- 
mained in that state of suspense, then gradually 
her nerves relaxed, and she fell asleep. When 
she awoke, broad daylight was flooding the room. 

She rose, and at once proceeded to investi- 
gate the cause of her alarm. She found a long 
sheet of iron on the floor beneath the clock, and 
this was all she could see. At once she repaired 
to the landlord, who after some little delay was 
able to explain the whole matter. 

It seems that the innkeeper's son wished to 
rise that morning at an early hour, to go to a 
town some miles distant, and had set his alarm 
clock before he gave up his room to Minnie, and 
forgot to tell her of the fact when the change 



250 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

was made. This was the ringing which she 
heard, and her fears had produced the impres- 
sion that the sound came at one time from one 
quarter, and at one time from another. It also 
seems that during the day the large sheet of 
iron had been taken into the room, and stood 
up carelessly against the wall under the clock ; 
and the running down and hard striking of the 
clock had so jarred it, that it fell with a crash 
just as the bell was about through with its 
striking. 

We all concluded that Minnie was a little 
heroine, not to cry out and alarm the whole 
house, and we unanimously voted that she 
should have her own way for a week, which to 
her was more complimentary than a crown. 

$fc $fc yfc vfc $fc 

dear, I yawn and gape with weariness ; but 
I must write on a little farther to-night. My 
eyes are heavy, and I feel more like casting my- 
self into my berth than sitting here ; but I will 
write a little longer, and record the facts and 
incidents that are in my mind. 

***** 

To-day, in Belfast, Mr. Tenant wanted to pur- 
chase a pocket knife, and the effort to do so 
developed a little specimen of human nature. 
We all stepped into a very line looking cutlery 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 251 

store, and after looking at various styles of pen- 
knife, Mr. Tenant selected one, and asked, — 

" What is the price of this ? " 

" Six shillings.'' 

The English shilling is about equal to a quar- 
ter of a dollar. Mr. Tenant examined the knife, 
and thought the price too much, and said so, 
adding, — 

" I will give you five shillings." 

The man at once appeared indignant at the 
idea that it should be supposed he had two 
prices." 

"No, no," he said, " I have only one price ; 
you are in the wrong store to trade in that 
style." 

And then he muttered something about it 
being impossible to trade with people from 
America. Mr. Tenant very coolly told him that 
he could do as he liked about it. The knife 
was not worth six shillings, and he should not 
give it ; and if the seller did not wish to make 
a reduction, he could say so, and there was the 
the end of it. The man made an uncivil reply, 
again telling Mr. Tenant that he was in the 
wrong shop for such a trade as that. 

We moved to the door, and just as Mr. Tenant 
was passing out, the shopkeeper called him — 

" Come back a moment." 



252 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" I think it is no use for us to try to trade." 

" I will take off sixpence." 

" No, I do not care about purchasing now ; 
your discourteous remarks incline me to go else- 
where." 

" I did not mean to offend you ; I will let 
you have the knife for five shillings," said the 
man, his anxiety to sell increasing as the 
disposition of Mr. Tenant to buy seemed to 
fall. 

" No, I think not," said the latter ; " I offered 
you five shillings once, and you refused it ; now 
I think I will not trade." 

The man still yielded, and finally offered the 
article for four shillings, saying, " I have some 
money to raise to-day, and every little helps." 

At length Mr. Tenant concluded to buy the 
knife, so great was the man's earnestness, but 
paid him for it the five shillings, saying, — 

" I know very accurately the value of these 
knives, and this is worth to me about live shil- 
lings. I do not wish to take advantage of your 
determination to sell, but will pay you the price 
I originally offered you, though you once refused 
it. I see you would sell to me at almost any 
price, but I only wish a fair bargain." 

As we left the shop, Mr. Tenant asked me, — 

" Walter, have you learned any lesson from 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 253 

this little transaction between me and this shop- 
keeper which you have just witnessed ? " 

" I think I have." 

" Have you, Minnie ? " 

" Yes, sir." 

" Well, tell us, Minnie, first, what you have 
learned." 

" I have learned that it is best to beat a man 
down a little, if you want to get a good trade." 

" Minnie, I am sorry you learned that les- 
son. I did not design to teach it. But what 
did Walter learn ? " he asked, turning to me. 

" I have learned this," I said, " that a man 
had better say what he means, and not get of- 
fended at an offer that he means to take if he 
cannot get a better one." 

" Is that all you have learned ? " 

"Not all." 

" Well, what more ? " 

" Why, I have learned that it is not right to 
take advantage of a man's emergencies to get 
a good bargain. This man wanted to sell his 
knife ; he was determined from the first that 
you should have it, and you might have secured 
it for four shillings, which you knew to be less 
than it was worth But you gave five shillings, 
for two reasons, as I suppose," 

" What do you think those reasons were ? " 



254 THE PERCY FAMILY. 

" First, you believed the knife to be worth 
that sum ; and second, you had once offered it, 
and did not feel that you could recede with 
honor." 

" You are right, Walter," added Mr. Tenant. 
***** 

But I can write no longer. Farewell, Ire- 
land, green isle, sleeping now in the bosom of 
the sea, — farewell. 

Walter folded his paper, wiped his pen, closed 
up his inkstand, and taking up his portfolio, 
went to his state room, which adjoined that 
occupied by Minnie. As he passed her door, 
which had been left open to admit the air, he 
paused, and a soft, musical voice from within 
said, — 

" Walter, is that you ? " 

" Yes, sis, it is, and nobody else." 

" Come in, Walter, a minute ; I cannot get 
asleep. What o'clock is it ? " 

"It is near midnight. But why are you so 
wakeful ? " 

" I have been thinking of home, Walter, — 
of dear mamma and little Charlie, — and as I 
have thought, my fancy has been working, and 
I am nervous." 

" Well, go to sleep." 



FAREWELL TO IRELAND. 255 

" How can I ? " 

" I do not know ; but I have heard it said 
that a person who is wakeful at night can, by 
counting one or two hundred backward, so 
break up the chain of thoughts, and turn the 
mind from its reflections, that sleep will over- 
power the faculties." 

" I will try it. Good night, Walter." 

" Good night, Minnie ; may you have happy 
dreams." 

Walter entered his own room, and closing the 
door softly, bowed down, and committed him- 
self, his father, Minnie, and Mr. Tenant to the 
kind care of our wise heavenly Father ; then he 
breathed out a gentle prayer for the dear ones at 
home ; and then, repeating the simple, yet sub- 
lime, petition given us by Christ, and long ago 
taught him by his mother, " Our Father, who 
art in heaven," he went into his berth, and was 
soon asleep, midway between Ireland and Scot- 
land. 



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021 376 859 1 



